Optimised coding sequence and promoter

ABSTRACT

An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an optimised coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a new promoter, which may be used in such vectors as rAAV for introduction of factor VIII, other blood clotting factors and transgenes including those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocytes biology, lysosomal storage, and urea cycle disorders, lipid storage disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin, into cells to bring about expression thereof. The invention also relates to cells transformed with such vectors, proteins and glycoproteins produced by such cells, transgenically modified animals containing cells modified using the vectors and methods of treatment utilising the vectors in a gene replacement approach and using proteins and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed with the vectors in a more conventional approach.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventors are interested in developing a safe and efficient gene transfer strategy for the treatment of haemophilia A (HA), the most common inherited bleeding disorder. This would represent a major clinical advance with significant implications for other congenital disorders that lack effective treatment. The inventors have already developed a promising gene therapy approach for haemophilia B using recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors. Haemophilia A poses several new challenges due to the distinct molecular and biochemical properties of human factor VIII (hFVIII), a molecule that is mutated in this disease. These include the relatively large size of the hFVIII cDNA and the fact that hFVIII protein expression is highly inefficient. The inventors have begun to address some of these limitations through advances in vector technology and the development of a novel more potent hFVIII variant (codop-hFVIII) that can be efficiently packaged into rAAV.

Haemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked bleeding disorder that affects approximately 1 in 5,000 males, that is caused by mutations in the factor VIII (FVIII) gene, which codes for an essential cofactor in the coagulation cascade. Severe HA patients (>50% of patients) have less than 1% of normal FVIII activity, and suffer from spontaneous haemorrhage into weight bearing joints and soft tissues, which cause permanent disability and occasionally death. The current standard of care for HA consists of recombinant hFVIII protein concentrates, which can arrest haemorrhage but do not abrogate chronic damage that ensues after a bleed. Prophylactic administration of factor concentrates to maintain plasma FVIII levels above 1% (>2 ng/mL) leads to a marked reduction in spontaneous haemorrhage and chronic arthropathy. However, the half life of FVIII is short (8-12 hours), necessitating three intravenous administration of concentrates per week. This is prohibitively expensive (>£100,000/year/patient), highly invasive and time consuming. Because of its high cost and limited supply, over 75% of severe HA patients receive no, or only sporadic treatment with FVIII concentrates. These individuals face a drastically shortened life of pain and disability.

Attention has, therefore, turned to somatic gene therapy for HA because of its potential for a cure through continuous endogenous production of FVIII following a single administration of vector. Haemophilia A, is in fact well suited for a gene replacement approach because its clinical manifestations are entirely attributable to the lack of a single gene product (FVIII) that circulates in minute amounts (200 ng/mL) in the plasma. Tightly regulated control of gene expression is not essential and a modest increase in the level of FVIII (>1% of normal) can ameliorate the severe phenotype. The availability of animal models including FVIII-knockout mice and haemophilia A dogs can facilitate extensive preclinical evaluation of gene therapy strategies. Finally, the consequences of gene transfer can be assessed using simple quantitative rather than qualitative endpoints that can be easily assayed in most clinical laboratories, which contrasts with other gene therapy targets where expression is difficult to assess or is influenced by additional factors such as substrate flux.

Three gene transfer Phase I trials have been conducted thus far for HA using direct in vivo gene delivery of onco-retro- or adenoviral vectors as well as autologous transplant of plasmid modified autologous fibroblasts. Stable expression of hFVIII at above 1% was not achieved. These and subsequent preclinical studies highlighted several critical biological obstacles to successful gene therapy of HA.

Cellular processing of the wild type full length FVIII molecule is highly complex and expression is confounded by mRNA instability, interaction with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, and a requirement for facilitated ER to Golgi transport through interaction with the mannose-binding lectin LMAN1. Novel more potent FVIII variants have, however, been developed through incremental advances in our understanding of the biology of FVIII expression. For instance biochemical studies demonstrated that the FVIII B-domain was dispensable for FVIII cofactor activity. Deletion of the B-domain resulted in a 17-fold increase in mRNA levels over full-length wild-type FVIII and a 30% increase in secreted protein. This led to the development of B-domain deleted (BDD) FVIII protein concentrate, which is now widely used in the clinic. Recent studies, however, indicate that full length and BDD hFVIII misfold in the ER lumen, resulting in activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and apoptosis of murine hepatocytes. However, the addition of a short B-domain spacer, rich in asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, to BDD-FVIII (=N6-FVIII) overcomes this problem in part through improved transport from the ER to the Golgi. N6-FVIII is secreted at 10 fold higher levels than full length wild type FVIII but the inventors believe that FVIII secretion can be improved further through modification of the FVIII genome.

rAAV currently shows most promise for chronic disorders such as HA because of its excellent safety profile. In addition, the inventors and others have shown that a single administration of rAAV vector is sufficient to direct long-term transgene expression without significant toxicity in a variety of animal models including non-human primates. Integration of the rAAV provirus has been described, but at a frequency that is exceedingly low and comparable to that of plasmid DNA. Stable transgene expression is, therefore, mediated mainly by episomally retained rAAV genomes in post-mitotic tissues, thereby reducing the risk of insertional oncogenesis. This contrasts with integrating vectors that have been shown to cause a lymphoproliferative disorder in children with SCID-XI. Whilst promising results have recently been reported in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and Leber's congenital amaurosis following rAAV mediated gene transfer, until recently the large size of the hFVIII cDNA (˜7 kb), which exceeds the relatively small packaging capacity of rAAV of ˜4.7 to 4.9 kb, has limited the use of this vector for HA. A recent report from Pierce and colleagues demonstrated long-term (>4 years) expression of B domain deleted (BDD) canine FVIII at 2.5-5% of normal following a single administration of rAAV in haemophilia A dogs. However, rAAV mediated expression of human FVIII has not been established to the same degree.

Currently, the most severe and challenging complication of treatment with FVIII concentrates is the development of neutralising antibodies to FVIII (FVIII inhibitors), which occurs in up to 30% of patients with HA. These inhibitors negate the biological effects of FVIII concentrates and making it difficult to treat bleeding episodes, except with bypass agents such as recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). The significant cost of rFVIIa (˜£500,000 per episode of orthopaedic surgery) and toxicity (e.g. thrombosis) precludes prophylactic use. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is an alternative but this it is less effective in patients with longstanding, high titre, inhibitors. Peripheral tolerance has, in fact, been achieved in some patients with intractable FVIII inhibitors following liver transplantation, suggesting that stable long-term endogenous expression of hFVIII may be important for achieving tolerance. The inventors' data in mice and non-human primates and that of others clearly shows that liver targeted gene transfer with rAAV promotes a state of permanent tolerance towards the transgene through expansion of transgene specific regulatory T cells (Tregs).

Therefore, gene transfer may provide an alternative means for prevention and eradication of intractable inhibitors.

A key lesson from previous clinical trials with rAAV is that preclinical studies need to be evaluated in a context relevant to humans. They have, therefore, focused on nonhuman primates for evaluation of rAAV vectors because, like humans, macaques are natural hosts for AAV infection. This provides an important opportunity to evaluate gene transfer efficiency with rAAV vectors in out-bred animals previously sensitised to wild type AAV, which is not possible with murine or canine models. Finally, regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States are now requesting preclinical safety and efficacy studies in nonhuman primates as a condition for authorisation of a clinical trial.

To overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, the inventors have created an improved isolated nucleotide sequence encoding Factor VIII, along with a new promoter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 75% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and which encodes functional factor VIII (fVIII or FVIII).

The present invention also provides a vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule which comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least 75% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and which encodes functional factor VIII.

Further, the present invention provides a host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule as described above or a vector as described above.

Additionally, the present invention provides a protein or glycoprotein expressed by a host cell as described above.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a transgenic animal comprising cells which comprise a nucleic acid molecule or a vector as described above.

The present invention also provides a method of treating haemophilia comprising administering a vector as described above or a protein as described above to a patient suffering from haemophilia.

Further, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule as described above, a protein as described above or a vector as described above for use in therapy.

Additionally, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule as described above, a protein as described above or a vector as described above for use in the treatment of haemophilia.

Also, the present invention provides a method for delivery of a nucleotide sequence encoding a function factor VIII to a subject, which method comprises administering to the said subject a nucleic acid molecule as described above, a protein as described above or a vector as described above.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a promoter comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

The present invention also provides a second vector comprising a promoter which comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

Further, the present invention provides a second host cell comprising the promoter as described above or the second vector as described above.

Additionally, the present invention provides an expression product expressed by the second host cell as described above, wherein an expressible nucleotide sequence is operably linked to the promoter.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a second transgenic animal comprising cells which comprise the promoter as described above or the second vector as described above.

The present invention also provides a method for the preparation of a parvoviral gene delivery vector, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing an insect cell comprising one or more nucleic acid         constructs comprising:         -   (i) a nucleic acid molecule of any one of claims 1 to 6 that             is flanked by at least one parvoviral inverted terminal             repeat nucleotide sequence;         -   (ii) a first expression cassette comprising a nucleotide             sequence encoding one or more parvoviral Rep proteins which             is operably linked to a promoter that is capable of driving             expression of the Rep protein(s) in the insect cell;         -   (iii) a second expression cassette comprising a nucleotide             sequence encoding one or more parvoviral capsid proteins             which is operably linked to a promoter that is capable of             driving expression of the capsid protein(s) in the insect             cell;     -   (b) culturing the insect cell defined in (a) under conditions         conducive to the expression of the Rep and the capsid proteins;         and, optionally,     -   (c) recovering the parvoviral gene delivery vector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence having substantial homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The term substantial homology can be further defined with reference to a percentage homology. This is discussed in further detail below.

The term “isolated” when used in relation to a nucleic acid molecule of the invention typically refers to a nucleic acid sequence that is identified and separated from at least one contaminant nucleic acid with which it is ordinarily associated in its natural source. Isolated nucleic acid may be present in a form or setting that is different from that in which it is found in nature. In contrast, non-isolated nucleic acids are nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA found in the state they exist in nature. For example, a given DNA sequence (e.g. a gene) is found on the host cell chromosome in proximity to neighbouring genes; RNA sequences, such as a specific mRNA sequence encoding a specific protein, are found in the cell as a mixture with numerous other mRNAs which encode a multitude of proteins. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention may be present in single-stranded or double-stranded form. When an isolated nucleic acid molecule is to be utilized to express a protein, it will typically contain at a minimum the sense or coding strand (i.e., nucleic acid molecule may be single-stranded), but may contain both the sense and anti-sense strands (i.e., the nucleic acid molecule may be double-stranded).

The nucleic acid molecule of the invention preferably has at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably still at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% homology, for example at least 98% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. It also preferably has at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, and more preferably at least 80% homology to wild-type factor VIII. Further, the nucleic acid molecule preferably encodes for a functional factor VIII protein, that is to say it encodes for factor VIII which, when expressed, has the functionality of wild type factor VIII. The nucleic acid molecule, when expressed in a suitable system (e.g. a host cell), produces a functional factor VIII protein and at a relatively high level. Since the factor VIII that is produced is functional, it will have a conformation which is the same as at least a portion of the wild type factor VIII. In one embodiment, the factor VIII produced by the nucleic acid will have the same conformation as the N6 factor VIII which has been previously described. A functional factor VIII protein produced by the invention allows at least some blood coagulation to take place in a subject. This causes a decrease in the time it takes for blood to clot in a subject suffering from haemophilia. Normal factor VIII participates in blood coagulation via the coagulation cascade. Normal factor VIII is a cofactor for factor IXa which, in the presence of Ca⁺² and phospholipids forms a complex that converts factor X to the activated form Xa. Therefore, a functional factor VIII protein according to the invention can form a functional complex with factor IXa which can convert factor X to the activated form Xa.

Previously used factor VIII nucleotide sequences have had problems with expression of functional protein. This is thought to be due to inefficient expression of mRNA, protein misfolding with subsequent intracellular degradation, and inefficient transport of the primary translation product from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. The inventors have found that the nucleic acid molecule provided by the invention causes surprisingly high levels of expression of a factor VIII protein both in vitro and in vivo. This means that this nucleic acid molecule could be used in gene therapy to treat haemophilia such as haemophilia A.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is a codon optimised human factor VIII nucleic acid sequence which is based on the sequence of the N6 factor VIII nucleotide sequence. The N6 factor VIII nucleotide sequence is a Factor VIII sequence from which the B domain has been deleted and replaced with a short B-domain spacer, rich in asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, which improves transport of the N6-FVIII from the ER to the Golgi.

The inventors have shown that SEQ ID NO:1 and sequences which are similar to it, i.e. those sequences which have a relatively high level of homology, all show surprisingly high levels of expression of functional protein. In this regard, SEQ ID NOs: 4, 5, 6 and 7 are also codon optimised factor VIII nucleic acid sequences, the % homology of which are 88%, 77%, 82% and 97% respectively, compared to SEQ ID NO: 1.

A nucleotide sequence of the invention may have at least about 400, at least about 650, at least about 890, at least about 1140, at least about 1380, at least about 1530 of all codons coding for the functional Factor VIII being identical to the codons (in corresponding positions) in SEQ ID NO: 1.

The invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule which has at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% homology, for example 98% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

A nucleotide sequence of the invention may have at least about 410, at least about 670, at least about 920, at least about 1180, at least about 1430, at least about 1580 of all codons coding for the functional Factor VIII being identical to the codons (in corresponding positions) in SEQ ID NO: 4.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 is a codon optimised factor VIII nucleic acid sequence which is based on the sequence of an SQ N6 factor VIII nucleotide sequence. The SQ N6 factor VIII nucleotide sequence is a Factor VIII sequence from which the B domain has been deleted and replaced with an SQ link of 14 amino acids between the a2 and a3 domains. Within the SQ link, an N6 B-domain has been inserted.

Further, the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which has at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% homology, for example 98% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.

A nucleotide sequence of the invention may have at least about 360, at least about 580, at least about 800, at least about 1020, at least about 1380, at least about 1230 of all codons coding for the functional Factor VIII being identical to the codons (in corresponding positions) in SEQ ID NO: 5.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 is a codon optimised factor VIII nucleic acid sequence which is based on the sequence of an SQ factor VIII nucleotide sequence. The SQ factor VIII nucleotide sequence is a Factor VIII sequence from which the B domain has been deleted and replaced with an SQ link of 14 amino acids between the a2 and a3 domains. The presence of the SQ link in the complex promotes efficient intracellular cleavage of the primary single chain translation product of 170 kDa due to the basic arginine residues which form a recognition motif for proteolytic cleavage by the membrane bound subtilisin-like protease furin.

Additionally, the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which has at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% homology, for example 98% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.

A nucleotide sequence of the invention may have at least about 410, at least about 660, at least about 910, at least about 1160, at least about 1410, at least about 1560 of all codons coding for the functional Factor VIII being identical to the codons (in corresponding positions) in SEQ ID NO: 6.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 is a codon optimised factor VIII nucleic acid sequence which is based on the sequence of an SQ Fugu B factor VIII nucleotide sequence. The SQ Fugu B factor VIII nucleotide sequence is a Factor VIII sequence from which the B domain has been deleted and replaced with an SQ link of 14 amino acids between the a2 and a3 domains. Within the SQ link, a Fugu B-domain has been inserted. A Fugu B domain is the factor VIII B-domain from the teleost puffer fish Fugu rubripes. The Fugu B domain has a high concentration of N-linked glycosylation sites which greatly improve intracellular trafficking and expression of the sequence.

Furthermore, the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which has at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% homology, for example 98% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.

A nucleotide sequence of the invention may have at least about 440, at least about 710, at least about 970, at least about 1240, at least about 1500, at least about 1670 of all codons coding for the functional Factor VIII being identical to the codons (in corresponding positions) in SEQ ID NO: 7.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 is a codon optimised factor VIII nucleic acid sequence which is based on the sequence of the N6 factor VIII nucleotide sequence.

All the above embodiments relating to different sequences preferably encode for a functional factor VIII. Further preferred features are the same as those relating to SEQ ID NO: 1 where appropriate. This will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, any of the nucleic acid molecules of the invention may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding for an SQ link in the factor VIII protein. The amino acid sequence of the SQ link is preferably the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18.

In another embodiment, any of the nucleic acid molecules of the invention may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding for an N6 B-domain in the factor VIII protein.

In a further embodiment, any of the nucleic acid molecules of the invention may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding for a Fugu B-domain in the factor VIII protein.

The nucleic acid of the invention may comprise an SQ link and an N6 B-domain in the factor VIII protein, or an SQ link and a Fugu B-domain in the factor VIII protein.

Generally, codon optimisation does not change the amino acid for which each codon encodes. It simply changes the nucleotide sequence so that it is more likely to be expressed at a relatively high level compared to the non-codon optimised sequence. Therefore, in one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention encodes for a protein having between 0 and 350, between 0 and 300, between 0 and 250, between 0 and 200, between 0 and 150, between 0 and 100, between 0 and 50, between 0 and 30, between 0 and 20, between 0 and 15, between 0 and 10, or between 0 and 5 amino acid changes to the protein encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. This means that the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid of the invention and, for example, SEQ ID NO: 1 (or SEQ ID NO: 4, etc.) may be different but when they are translated the amino acid sequence of the protein that is produced only differs by between 0 and 10 amino acids. Preferably, any amino acid changes encoded for by the nucleic acid of the invention compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7 are in the portion of the sequence which replaced the B-domain of the factor VIII protein, i.e. the changes do not occur in the other domains of the protein such as the A1, a1, A2, a2, a3, A3, C1 or C2 domains. Amino acid changes in the other domains of the factor VIII protein affect the biological activity of the factor VIII protein.

Further, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention may encode for a protein which is encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. This means that the nucleotide sequences of the nucleic acid of the invention and, for example, SEQ ID NO: 1 (or SEQ ID NO: 4, etc.) may be different but when they are translated the amino acid sequence of the protein that is produced is the same.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nucleotide sequence coding for a functional Factor VIII has an improved codon usage bias for the human cell as compared to naturally occurring nucleotide sequence coding for the corresponding non-codon optimized sequence. The adaptiveness of a nucleotide sequence encoding a functional Factor VIII to the codon usage of human cells may be expressed as codon adaptation index (CAI). A codon adaptation index is herein defined as a measurement of the relative adaptiveness of the codon usage of a gene towards the codon usage of highly expressed human genes. The relative adaptiveness (w) of each codon is the ratio of the usage of each codon, to that of the most abundant codon for the same amino acid. The CAI is defined as the geometric mean of these relative adaptiveness values. Non-synonymous codons and termination codons (dependent on genetic code) are excluded. CAI values range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating a higher proportion of the most abundant codons (see Sharp and Li, 1987, Nucleic Acids Research 15: 1281-1295; also see: Kim et al., Gene. 1997, 199:293-301; zur Megede et al., Journal of Virology, 2000, 74: 2628-2635). Preferably, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Factor VIII has a CAI of at least 0.8, 0.85, 0.90, 0.92, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96 or 0.97.

In a particular embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule encodes for a protein comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 21 having between 0 and 250, between 0 and 200, between 0 and 150, between 0 and 100, between 0 and 50, between 0 and 30, between 0 and 20, between 0 and 15, between 0 and 10, or between 0 and 5 amino acid changes thereto. If the nucleic acid molecule encodes for a protein comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 21 having changes to any of the amino acids, the protein should still be a functional protein. A skilled person will appreciate that minor changes can be made to some of the amino acids of the protein without affecting the function of the protein. Preferably, the amino acid changes are in the portion of the sequence which replaced the B-domain of the factor VIII protein, i.e. the changes do not occur in the other domains of the protein such as the A1, a1, A2, a2, a3, A3, C1 or C2 domains. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule may encode for a protein comprising or consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 21.

It would be well with the capabilities of a skilled person to produce a nucleic acid molecule according to the invention. This could be done, for example, using chemical synthesis of a given sequence.

Further, a skilled person would readily be able to determine whether a nucleic acid according to the invention expresses a functional protein. Suitable methods would be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, one suitable in vitro method involves inserting the nucleic acid into a vector, such as a lentiviral or an AAV vector, transducing host cells, such as 293T or HeLa cells, with the vector, and assaying for factor VIII activity. Alternatively, a suitable in vivo method involves transducing a vector containing the nucleic acid into haemophiliac mice and assaying for functional factor VIII in the plasma of the mice. Suitable methods are described in more detail below.

The nucleic acid can be any type of nucleic acid composed of nucleotides. The nucleic acid should be able to be expressed so that a protein is produced. Preferably, the nucleic acid is DNA or RNA.

The nucleic acid molecule preferably comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 7. The nucleic acid molecule may consist of a nucleotide sequence selected from the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7. Further, The nucleic acid molecule may consist of a nucleotide sequence selected from the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 7. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule consists of a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Also provided is a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention. The vector may be any appropriate vector, including viral and non-viral vectors. Viral vectors include lenti-, adeno-, herpes viral vectors. It is preferably a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector or a lentiviral vector. Alternatively, non-viral systems may be used, including using naked DNA (with or without chromatin attachment regions) or conjugated DNA that is introduced into cells by various transfection methods such as lipids or electroporation.

The vector preferably also comprises any other components required for expression of the nucleic acid molecule, such as promoters. Any appropriate promoters may be used, such as LP1, HCR-hAAT, ApoE-hAAT, and LSP. These promoters are described in more detail in the following references: LP1: Nathwani A. et al. Blood. 2006 Apr. 1; 107(7): 2653-2661; HCR-hAAT: Miao C H et al. Mol Ther. 2000; 1: 522-532; ApoE-hAAT: Okuyama T et al. Human Gene Therapy, 7, 637-645 (1996); and LSP: Wang L et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1999 Mar. 30; 96(7): 3906-3910.

A particular preferred promoter is provided by the invention. Accordingly, there is provided a promoter comprising a nucleotide sequence having substantial homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The promoter is liver specific. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule described above further comprises a nucleotide sequence having substantial homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The term substantial homology can be further defined with reference to a percentage homology. This is discussed in further detail below.

A vector according to the invention may be a gene delivery vector. Such a gene delivery vector may be a viral gene delivery vector or a non-viral gene delivery vector.

Non-viral gene delivery may be carried out using naked DNA which is the simplest method of non-viral transfection. It may be possible, for example, to administer a nucleic acid of the invention using naked plasmid DNA. Alternatively, methods such as electroporation, sonoporation or the use of a “gene gun”, which shoots DNA coated gold particles into the cell using, for example, high pressure gas or an inverted .22 caliber gun, may be used.

To improve the delivery of a nucleic acid into a cell, it may be necessary to protect it from damage and its entry into the cell may be facilitated. To this end, lipoplexes and polyplexes may be used that have the ability to protect a nucleic acid from undesirable degradation during the transfection process.

Plasmid DNA may be coated with lipids in an organized structure such as a micelle or a liposome. When the organized structure is complexed with DNA it is called a lipoplex. Anionic and neutral lipids may be used for the construction of lipoplexes for synthetic vectors. Preferably, however, cationic lipids, due to their positive charge, may be used to condense negatively charged DNA molecules so as to facilitate the encapsulation of DNA into liposomes. If may be necessary to add helper lipids (usually electroneutral lipids, such as DOPE) to cationic lipids so as to form lipoplexes.

Complexes of polymers with DNA, called polyplexes, may be used to deliver a nucleic acid of the invention. Most polyplexes consist of cationic polymers and their production is regulated by ionic interactions. Polyplexes typically cannot release their DNA load into the cytoplasm. Thus, co-transfection with endosome-lytic agents (to lyse the endosome that is made during endocytosis, the process by which the polyplex enters the cell), such as inactivated adenovirus, may be necessary.

Hybrid methods may be used to deliver a nucleic acid of the invention that combines two or more techniques. Virosomes are one example; they combine liposomes with an inactivated HIV or influenza virus. Other methods involve mixing other viral vectors with cationic lipids or hybridizing viruses and may be used to deliver a nucleic acid of the invention.

A dendrimer may be used to deliver a nucleic acid of the invention, in particular, a cationic dendrimer, i.e. one with a positive surface charge. When in the presence of genetic material such as DNA or RNA, charge complimentarity leads to a temporary association of the nucleic acid with the cationic dendrimer. On reaching its destination the dendrimer-nucleic acid complex is then imported into the cell via endocytosis.

More typically, a suitable viral gene delivery vector may be used to deliver a nucleic acid of the invention. Viral vectors suitable for use in the invention may be a parvovirus, an adenovirus, a retrovirus, a lentivirus or a herpes simplex virus. The parvovirus may be an adenovirus-associated virus (AAV).

As used herein, in the context of gene delivery, the term “vector” or “gene delivery vector” may refer to a particle that functions as a gene delivery vehicle, and which comprises nucleic acid (i.e., the vector genome) packaged within, for example, an envelope or capsid. Alternatively, in some contexts, the term “vector” may be used to refer only to the vector genome.

Accordingly, the present invention provides gene delivery vectors (comprising a nucleic acid of the invention) based on animal parvoviruses, in particular dependoviruses such as infectious human or simian AAV, and the components thereof (e.g., an animal parvovirus genome) for use as vectors for introduction and/or expression of a Factor VIII polypeptide in a mammalian cell. The term “parvoviral” as used herein thus encompasses dependoviruses such as any type of AAV.

Viruses of the Parvoviridae family are small DNA animal viruses. The family Parvoviridae may be divided between two subfamilies: the Parvovirinae, which infect vertebrates, and the Densovirinae, which infect insects. Members of the subfamily Parvovirinae are herein referred to as the parvoviruses and include the genus Dependovirus. As may be deduced from the name of their genus, members of the Dependovirus are unique in that they usually require coinfection with a helper virus such as adenovirus or herpes virus for productive infection in cell culture. The genus Dependovirus includes AAV, which normally infects humans (e.g., serotypes 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, and 6) or primates (e.g., serotypes 1 and 4), and related viruses that infect other warm-blooded animals (e.g., bovine, canine, equine, and ovine adeno-associated viruses). Further information on parvoviruses and other members of the Parvoviridae is described in Kenneth I. Berns, “Parvoviridae: The Viruses and Their Replication,” Chapter 69 in Fields Virology (3d Ed. 1996). For convenience the present invention is further exemplified and described herein by reference to AAV. It is, however, understood that the invention is not limited to AAV but may equally be applied to other parvoviruses.

The genomic organization of all known AAV serotypes is very similar. The genome of AAV is a linear, single-stranded DNA molecule that is less than about 5,000 nucleotides (nt) in length. Inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) flank the unique coding nucleotide sequences for the non-structural replication (Rep) proteins and the structural (VP) proteins. The VP proteins (VP1, -2 and -3) form the capsid. The terminal 145 nt are self-complementary and are organized so that an energetically stable intramolecular duplex forming a T-shaped hairpin may be formed. These hairpin structures function as an origin for viral DNA replication, serving as primers for the cellular DNA polymerase complex. Following wild type (wt) AAV infection in mammalian cells the Rep genes (i.e. encoding Rep78 and Rep52 proteins) are expressed from the P5 promoter and the P19 promoter, respectively and both Rep proteins have a function in the replication of the viral genome. A splicing event in the Rep ORF results in the expression of actually four Rep proteins (i.e. Rep78, Rep68, Rep52 and Rep40). However, it has been shown that the unspliced mRNA, encoding Rep78 and Rep52 proteins, in mammalian cells are sufficient for AAV vector production. Also in insect cells the Rep78 and Rep52 proteins suffice for AAV vector production.

In an AAV suitable for use as a gene therapy vector, the vector genome typically comprises a nucleic acid of the invention (as described herein) to be packaged for delivery to a target cell. According to this particular embodiment, the heterologous nucleotide sequence is located between the viral ITRs at either end of the vector genome. In further preferred embodiments, the parvovirus (e. g. AAV) cap genes and parvovirus (e.g. AAV) rep genes are deleted from the template genome (and thus from the virion DNA produced therefrom). This configuration maximizes the size of the nucleic acid sequence(s) that can be carried by the parvovirus capsid.

According to this particular embodiment, the nucleic acid of the invention is located between the viral ITRs at either end of the substrate. It is possible for a parvoviral genome to function with only one ITR. Thus, in a gene therapy vector of the invention based on a parvovirus, the vector genome is flanked by at least one ITR, but, more typically, by two AAV ITRs (generally with one either side of the vector genome, i.e. one at the 5′ end and one at the 3′ end). There may be intervening sequences between the nucleic acid of the invention in the vector genome and one or more of the ITRs.

Preferably, the nucleic acid encoding a functional Factor VIII polypeptide (for expression in the mammalian cell) will be incorporated into a parvoviral genome located between two regular ITRs or located on either side of an ITR engineered with two D regions.

AAV sequences that may be used in the present invention for the production of AAV gene therapy vectors can be derived from the genome of any AAV serotype. Generally, the AAV serotypes have genomic sequences of significant homology at the amino acid and the nucleic acid levels, provide an identical set of genetic functions, produce virions which are essentially physically and functionally equivalent, and replicate and assemble by practically identical mechanisms. For the genomic sequence of the various AAV serotypes and an overview of the genomic similarities see e.g. GenBank Accession number U89790; GenBank Accession number J01901; GenBank Accession number AF043303; GenBank Accession number AF085716; Chiorini et al. (1997, J. Vir. 71: 6823-33); Srivastava et al. (1983, J. Vir. 45:555-64); Chiorini et al. (1999, J. Vir. 73:1309-1319); Rutledge et al. (1998, J. Vir. 72:309-319); and Wu et al. (2000, J. Vir. 74: 8635-47). AAV serotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 may be used in the present invention. However, AAV serotypes 1, 5 or 8 are preferred sources of AAV sequences for use in the context of the present invention.

Preferably the AAV ITR sequences for use in the context of the present invention are derived from AAV1, AAV2, AAV4 and/or AAV6. Likewise, the Rep (Rep78 and Rep52) coding sequences are preferably derived from AAV1, AAV2, AAV4 and/or AAV6. The sequences coding for the VP1, VP2, and VP3 capsid proteins for use in the context of the present invention may however be taken from any of the known 42 serotypes, more preferably from AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8 or AAV9 or newly developed AAV-like particles obtained by e.g. capsid shuffling techniques and AAV capsid libraries.

AAV Rep and ITR sequences are particularly conserved among most serotypes. The Rep78 proteins of various AAV serotypes are e.g. more than 89% identical and the total nucleotide sequence identity at the genome level between AAV2, AAV3A, AAV3B, and AAV6 is around 82% (Bantel-Schaal et al., 1999, J. Virol., 73(2):939-947). Moreover, the Rep sequences and ITRs of many AAV serotypes are known to efficiently cross-complement (i.e., functionally substitute) corresponding sequences from other serotypes in production of AAV particles in mammalian cells. US2003148506 reports that AAV Rep and ITR sequences also efficiently cross-complement other AAV Rep and ITR sequences in insect cells.

The AAV VP proteins are known to determine the cellular tropicity of the AAV virion. The VP protein-encoding sequences are significantly less conserved than Rep proteins and genes among different AAV serotypes. The ability of Rep and ITR sequences to cross-complement corresponding sequences of other serotypes allows for the production of pseudotyped AAV particles comprising the capsid proteins of a serotype (e.g., AAV1, 5 or 8) and the Rep and/or ITR sequences of another AAV serotype (e.g., AAV2). Such pseudotyped rAAV particles are a part of the present invention.

Modified “AAV” sequences also can be used in the context of the present invention, e.g. for the production of AAV gene therapy vectors. Such modified sequences e.g. include sequences having at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence identity (e.g., a sequence having about 75-99% nucleotide sequence identity) to an AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8 or AAV9 ITR, Rep, or VP can be used in place of wild-type AAV ITR, Rep, or VP sequences.

Although similar to other AAV serotypes in many respects, AAV5 differs from other human and simian AAV serotypes more than other known human and simian serotypes. In view thereof, the production of rAAV5 can differ from production of other serotypes in insect cells. Where methods of the invention are employed to produce rAAV5, it is preferred that one or more constructs comprising, collectively in the case of more than one construct, a nucleotide sequence comprising an AAV5 ITR, a nucleotide sequence comprises an AAV5 Rep coding sequence (i.e. a nucleotide sequence comprises an AAV5 Rep78). Such ITR and Rep sequences can be modified as desired to obtain efficient production of AAV5 or pseudotyped AAV5 vectors. For example, the start codon of the Rep sequences can be modified, VP splice sites can be modified or eliminated, and/or the VP1 start codon and nearby nucleotides can be modified to improve the production of AAV5 vectors.

Thus, the viral capsid used in the invention may be from any parvovirus, either an autonomous parvovirus or dependovirus, as described above. Preferably, the viral capsid is an AAV capsid (e.g., AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5 or AAV6 capsid). In general, the AAV1 capsid or AAV6 capsid are preferred. The choice of parvovirus capsid may be based on a number of considerations as known in the art, e.g., the target cell type, the desired level of expression, the nature of the heterologous nucleotide sequence to be expressed, issues related to viral production, and the like. For example, the AAV1 and AAV6 capsid may be advantageously employed for skeletal muscle; AAV1, AAV5 and AAV8 for the liver and cells of the central nervous system (e.g., brain); AAV5 for cells in the airway and lung or brain; AAV3 for bone marrow cells; and AAV4 for particular cells in the brain (e. g., appendable cells).

It is within the technical skills of the skilled person to select the most appropriate virus, virus subtype or virus serotype. Some subtypes or serotypes may be more appropriate than others for a certain type of tissue.

For example, liver-specific expression of a nucleic acid of the invention may advantageously be induced by AAV-mediated transduction of liver cells. Liver is amenable to AAV-mediated transduction, and different serotypes may be used (for example, AAV1, AAV5 or AAV8). Transduction of muscle may be accomplished by administration of an AAV encoding a nucleic acid of the invention via the blood stream. Thus, intravenous or intra-arterial administration is applicable.

A parvovirus gene therapy vector prepared according to the invention may be a “hybrid” particle in which the viral TRs and viral capsid are from different parvoviruses. Preferably, the viral TRs and capsid are from different serotypes of AAV. Likewise, the parvovirus may have a “chimeric” capsid (e. g., containing sequences from different parvoviruses, preferably different AAV serotypes) or a “targeted” capsid (e. g., a directed tropism).

In the context of the invention “at least one parvoviral ITR nucleotide sequence” is understood to mean a palindromic sequence, comprising mostly complementary, symmetrically arranged sequences also referred to as “A,” “B,” and “C” regions. The ITR functions as an origin of replication, a site having a “cis” role in replication, i.e., being a recognition site for trans-acting replication proteins such as e.g. Rep 78 (or Rep68) which recognize the palindrome and specific sequences internal to the palindrome. One exception to the symmetry of the ITR sequence is the “D” region of the ITR. It is unique (not having a complement within one ITR). Nicking of single-stranded DNA occurs at the junction between the A and D regions. It is the region where new DNA synthesis initiates. The D region normally sits to one side of the palindrome and provides directionality to the nucleic acid replication step. A parvovirus replicating in a mammalian cell typically has two ITR sequences. It is, however, possible to engineer an ITR so that binding sites are on both strands of the A regions and D regions are located symmetrically, one on each side of the palindrome. On a double-stranded circular DNA template (e.g., a plasmid), the Rep78- or Rep68-assisted nucleic acid replication then proceeds in both directions and a single ITR suffices for parvoviral replication of a circular vector. Thus, one ITR nucleotide sequence can be used in the context of the present invention. Preferably, however, two or another even number of regular ITRs are used. Most preferably, two ITR sequences are used. A preferred parvoviral ITR is an AAV ITR. For safety reasons it may be desirable to construct a parvoviral (AAV) vector that is unable to further propagate after initial introduction into a cell. Such a safety mechanism for limiting undesirable vector propagation in a recipient may be provided by using AAV with a chimeric ITR as described in US2003148506.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the viral Rep protein(s) used for producing an AAV vector of the invention may be selected with consideration for the source of the viral ITRs. For example, the AAV5 ITR typically interacts more efficiently with the AAV5 Rep protein, although it is not necessary that the serotype of ITR and Rep protein(s) are matched.

The ITR(s) used in the invention are typically functional, i.e. they may be fully resolvable and are preferably AAV sequences, with serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 being preferred. Resolvable AAV ITRs according to the present invention need not have a wild-type ITR sequence (e. g., a wild-type sequence may be altered by insertion, deletion, truncation or missense mutations), as long as the ITR mediates the desired functions, e. g., virus packaging, integration, and/or provirus rescue, and the like.

Advantageously, by using a gene therapy vector as compared with previous approaches, the restoration of protein synthesis, i.e. factor VIII synthesis, is a characteristic that the transduced cells acquire permanently or for a sustained period of time, thus avoiding the need for continuous administration to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Accordingly, the vectors of the invention therefore represent a tool for the development of strategies for the in vivo delivery of a nucleic acid of the invention, by engineering the nucleic acid within a gene therapy vector that efficiently transduces an appropriate cell type, such as a liver cell.

In a further aspect of the invention, a host is provided comprising the vector described above. Preferably, the vector is capable of expressing the nucleic acid molecule of the invention in the host. The host may be any suitable host.

As used herein, the term “host” refers to organisms and/or cells which harbour a nucleic acid molecule or a vector of the invention, as well as organisms and/or cells that are suitable for use in expressing a recombinant gene or protein. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular type of cell or organism. Indeed, it is contemplated that any suitable organism and/or cell will find use in the present invention as a host. A host cell may be in the form of a single cell, a population of similar or different cells, for example in the form of a culture (such as a liquid culture or a culture on a solid substrate), an organism or part thereof.

A host cell according to the invention may permit the expression of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention. Thus, the host cell may be, for example, a bacterial, a yeast, an insect or a mammalian cell.

Any insect cell which allows for replication of a recombinant parvoviral (rAAV) vector and which can be maintained in culture can be used in accordance with the present invention. For example, the cell line used can be from Spodoptera frugiperda, drosophila cell lines, or mosquito cell lines, e.g., Aedes albopictus derived cell lines. Preferred insect cells or cell lines are cells from the insect species which are susceptible to baculovirus infection, including e.g. Se301, SeIZD2109, SeUCR1, Sf9, Sf900+, Sf21, BTI-TN-5B1-4, MG-1, Tn368, HzAm1, Ha2302, Hz2E5, High Five (Invitrogen, CA, USA) and expresSF+® (U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,526; Protein Sciences Corp., CT, USA).

In addition, the invention provides a method for the preparation of a parvoviral gene delivery vector, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing an insect cell comprising one or more nucleic acid         constructs comprising:         -   (i) a nucleic acid molecule of the invention that is flanked             by at least one parvoviral inverted terminal repeat             nucleotide sequence;         -   (ii) a first expression cassette comprising a nucleotide             sequence encoding one or more parvoviral Rep proteins which             is operably linked to a promoter that is capable of driving             expression of the Rep protein(s) in the insect cell;         -   (iii) a second expression cassette comprising a nucleotide             sequence encoding one or more parvoviral capsid proteins             which is operably linked to a promoter that is capable of             driving expression of the capsid protein(s) in the insect             cell;     -   (b) culturing the insect cell defined in (a) under conditions         conducive to the expression of the Rep and the capsid proteins;         and, optionally,     -   (c) recovering the parvoviral gene delivery vector.

In general, therefore, the method of the invention allows the production of a parvoviral gene delivery vector (comprising a nucleic acid of the invention) in an insect cell. Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: (a) culturing an insect cell as defined above under conditions such that the parvoviral (e.g. AAV) vector is produced; and, (b) recovering the recombinant parvoviral (e.g. AAV) vector. Preferably, the parvoviral gene delivery vector is an AAV gene delivery vector.

It is understood here that the (AAV) vector produced in such a method preferably is an infectious parvoviral or AAV virion that comprises a parvoviral genome, which itself comprises a nucleic acid of the invention. Growing conditions for insect cells in culture, and production of heterologous products in insect cells in culture are well-known in the art and described e.g. in the above cited references on molecular engineering of insects cells.

In a method of the invention, a nucleic acid of the invention that is flanked by at least one parvoviral ITR sequence is provided. This type of sequence is described in detail above. Preferably, the nucleic acid of the invention is sequence is located between two parvoviral ITR sequences.

The first expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more parvoviral Rep proteins which is operably linked to a first promoter that is capable of driving expression of the Rep protein(s) in the insect cell.

A nucleotide sequence encoding animal parvoviruses Rep proteins, is herein understood as a nucleotide sequence encoding the non-structural Rep proteins that are required and sufficient for parvoviral vector production in insect cells such the Rep78 and Rep52 proteins, or the Rep68 and Rep40 proteins, or the combination of two or more thereof.

The animal parvovirus nucleotide sequence preferably is from a dependovirus, more preferably from a human or simian adeno-associated virus (AAV) and most preferably from an AAV which normally infects humans (e.g., serotypes 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, and 6) or primates (e.g., serotypes 1 and 4). Rep coding sequences are well known to those skilled in the art and suitable sequences are referred to and described in detail in WO2007/148971 and also in WO2009/014445.

Preferably, the nucleotide sequence encodes animal parvoviruses Rep proteins that are required and sufficient for parvoviral vector production in insect cells.

The second expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more parvoviral capsid proteins which is operably linked to a promoter that is capable of driving expression of the capsid protein(s) in the insect cell. The capsid protein(s) expressed may be one or more of those described above.

Preferably, the nucleotide sequence encodes animal parvoviruses cap proteins that are required and sufficient for parvoviral vector production in insect cells.

These three sequences (genome, rep encoding and cap encoding) are provided in an insect cell by way of one or more nucleic acid constructs, for example one, two or three nucleic acid constructs. Preferably then, the one or nucleic acid constructs for the vector genome and expression of the parvoviral Rep and cap proteins in insect cells is an insect cell-compatible vector. An “insect cell-compatible vector” or “vector” is understood to a nucleic acid molecule capable of productive transformation or transfection of an insect or insect cell. Exemplary biological vectors include plasmids, linear nucleic acid molecules, and recombinant viruses. Any vector can be employed as long as it is insect cell-compatible. The vector may integrate into the insect cells genome but the presence of the vector in the insect cell need not be permanent and transient episomal vectors are also included. The vectors can be introduced by any means known, for example by chemical treatment of the cells, electroporation, or infection. In a preferred embodiment, the vector is a baculovirus, a viral vector, or a plasmid. In a more preferred embodiment, the vector is a baculovirus, i.e. the construct is a baculoviral vector. Baculoviral vectors and methods for their use are well known to those skilled in the art.

Typically then, a method of the invention for producing a parvoviral gene delivery vector comprises: providing to a cell permissive for parvovirus replication (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a template for producing vector genome of the invention (as described in detail herein); (b) nucleotide sequences sufficient for replication of the template to produce a vector genome (the first expression cassette defined above); (c) nucleotide sequences sufficient to package the vector genome into a parvovirus capsid (the second expression cassette defined above), under conditions sufficient for replication and packaging of the vector genome into the parvovirus capsid, whereby parvovirus particles comprising the vector genome encapsidated within the parvovirus capsid are produced in the cell. Preferably, the parvovirus replication and/or capsid coding sequences are AAV sequences.

A method of the invention may preferably comprise the step of affinity-purification of the (virions comprising the) recombinant parvoviral (rAAV) vector using an anti-AAV antibody, preferably an immobilised antibody. The anti-AAV antibody preferably is a monoclonal antibody. A particularly suitable antibody is a single chain camelid antibody or a fragment thereof as e.g. obtainable from camels or llamas (see e.g. Muyldermans, 2001, Biotechnol. 74: 277-302). The antibody for affinity-purification of rAAV preferably is an antibody that specifically binds an epitope on a AAV capsid protein, whereby preferably the epitope is an epitope that is present on capsid protein of more than one AAV serotype. E.g. the antibody may be raised or selected on the basis of specific binding to AAV2 capsid but at the same time also it may also specifically bind to AAV1, AAV3, AAV5, AAV6, AAV8 or AAV9 capsids.

The invention also provides a means for delivering a nucleic acid of the invention into a broad range of cells, including dividing and non-dividing cells. The present invention may be employed to deliver a nucleic acid of the invention to a cell in vitro, e. g. to produce a polypeptide encoded by such a nucleic acid molecule in vitro or for ex vivo gene therapy.

The nucleic acid molecule, vector, cells and methods/use of the present invention are additionally useful in a method of delivering a nucleic acid of the invention to a host in need thereof, typically a host suffering from haemophilia A.

The present invention finds use in both veterinary and medical applications. Suitable subjects for gene delivery methods as described herein include both avians and mammals, with mammals being preferred. The term “avian” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, chickens, ducks, geese, quail, turkeys and pheasants. The term “mammal” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, humans, bovines, ovines, caprines, equines, felines, canines, lagomorphs, etc. Human subjects are most preferred. Human subjects include neonates, infants, juveniles, and adults.

The invention thus provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid or a vector of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent and/or other medicinal agent, pharmaceutical agent or adjuvant, etc.

For injection, the carrier will typically be a liquid. For other methods of administration, the carrier may be either solid or liquid. For inhalation administration, the carrier will be respirable, and will preferably be in solid or liquid particulate form. As an injection medium, it is preferred to use water that contains the additives usual for injection solutions, such as stabilizing agents, salts or saline, and/or buffers.

In general, a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is one that is not toxic or unduly detrimental to cells. Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile, pyrogen-free water and sterile, pyrogen-free, phosphate buffered saline. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include physiologically acceptable carriers. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible”.

By “pharmaceutically acceptable” it is meant a material that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the material may be administered to a subject without causing any undesirable biological effects. Thus, such a pharmaceutical composition may be used, for example, in transfection of a cell ex vivo or in administering a viral particle or cell directly to a subject.

A carrier may be suitable for parenteral administration, which includes intravenous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular administration, Alternatively, the carrier may be suitable for sublingual or oral administration. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is contemplated.

Pharmaceutical compositions are typically sterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated as a solution, microemulsion, liposome, or other ordered structure suitable to accommodate high drug concentration. The carrier may be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, monostearate salts and gelatin. A nucleic acid or vector of the invention may be administered in a time or controlled release formulation, for example in a composition which includes a slow release polymer or other carriers that will protect the compound against rapid release, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers may for example be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, polylactic acid and polylactic, polyglycolic copolymers (PLG).

The parvoviral, for example AAV, vector of the invention may be of use in transferring genetic material to a cell. Such transfer may take place in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method for delivering a nucleotide sequence to a cell, which method comprises contacting a nucleic acid, a vector, or a pharmaceutical composition as described herein under conditions such the nucleic acid or vector of the invention enters the cell. The cell may be a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo.

The invention also provides a method of treating haemophilia comprising administering an effective amount of a nucleic acid, a protein or a vector according to the invention to a patient suffering from haemophilia. Preferably the patient is suffering from haemophilia A. Preferably, the patient is human.

Further, the invention also provides a method for delivering or administering a nucleotide sequence to a subject, which method comprises administering to the said subject a nucleic acid, a vector, or a pharmaceutical composition as described herein. In particular, the present invention provides a method of administering a nucleic acid molecule of the invention to a subject, comprising administering to the subject a parvoviral gene therapy vector according to the invention, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the parvoviral gene therapy vector is administered in a therapeutically-effective amount to a subject in need thereof. That is to say, administration according to the invention is typically carried out under conditions that result in the expression of functional Factor VIII at a level that provides a therapeutic effect in a subject in need thereof.

Delivery of a nucleic acid or vector of the invention to a host cell in vivo may result in an increase of functional factor VIII in the host, for example to a level that ameliorates one or more symptoms of a blood clotting disorder such as haemophilia A.

The level of naturally occurring factor VIII in a subject suffering from haemophilia A varies depending on the severity of the haemophilia. Patients with a severe form of the disease have factor VIII levels of less than about 1% of the level found in a normal healthy subject (referred to herein as “a normal level”. A normal level is about 50-150 IU/dL). Patients with a moderate form of the disease have factor VIII levels of between about 1% and about 5% of a normal level. Patients with a mild form of the disease have factor VIII levels of more than about 5% of a normal level; typically between about 5% and about 30% of a normal level.

It has been found that when the method of treatment of the invention is used, it can cause an increase in the level of functional factor VIII of at least about 1% of normal levels, i.e. in addition to the factor VIII level present in the subject before treatment. In a subject suffering from haemophilia, such an increase can cause amelioration of a symptom of haemophilia. In particular, an increase of at least 1% can reduce the frequency of bleeding that occurs in sufferers of haemophilia, especially those with a severe form of the disease. In one embodiment, the method of treatment causes an increase in the level of functional factor VIII of at least about 5% of normal levels. This could change the phenotype of the disease from severe to mild. Patients with a mild form of the disease rarely have spontaneous bleeding. In other embodiments, the method of treatment of the invention causes an increase in the level of functional factor VIII of at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20% or at least about 25% of normal levels. In a particular embodiment, the method of treatment of the invention causes an increase in the level of functional factor VIII of at least about 30% of normal levels. This level of increase would virtually normalise coagulation of blood in subjects suffering haemophilia. Such subjects are unlikely to require factor VIII concentrates following trauma or during surgery.

In another embodiment, the method of treatment of the invention may cause an increase in the level of functional factor VIII to at least about 1% of normal levels. The method of treatment may cause an increase in the level of functional factor VIII to at least about 5% of normal levels. In other embodiments, the method of treatment of the invention may cause an increase in the level of functional factor VIII to at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20% or at least about 25% of normal levels. In a particular embodiment, the method of treatment of the invention causes an increase in the level of functional factor VIII to at least about 30% of normal levels. A subject whose functional factor VIII level has been increase to 30% or more will have virtually normal coagulation of blood.

In one embodiment, the method of treatment of the invention causes an increase in the level of functional factor VIII to, at most, normal levels.

The level of functional factor VIII can be measured relatively easily and methods for measuring factor VIII levels are well known to those skilled in the art. Many clotting assays are available, including chromogenic and clotting based assays. ELISA tests are also widely available. A particular method is to measure the level of factor VIII:C which is a lab measure of the clotting activity of factor VIII. A normal level of factor VIII:C is 46.8 to 141.8 IU/dL or 0.468-1.4 IU/ml.

A further method is to measure the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) which is a measure of the ability of blood to clot. A normal aPTT is between about 24 and about 34 seconds. A subject suffering from haemophilia will have a longer aPTT. This method can be used in combination with prothrombin time measurement.

Also provided is a nucleic acid molecule, protein or vector of the invention for use in therapy, especially in the treatment of haemophilia, particularly haemophilia A.

The use of a nucleic acid molecule, protein or vector of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of haemophilia, particularly haemophilia A, is also provided.

The invention also provides a nucleic acid or a vector of the invention for use in the treatment of the human or animal body by therapy. In particular, a nucleic acid or a vector of the invention is provided for use in the treatment of a blood clotting disorder such as haemophilia, for example haemophilia A. A nucleic acid or a vector of the invention is provided for use in ameliorating one or more symptoms of a blood clotting disorder, for example by reducing the frequency and/or severity of bleeding episodes.

The invention further provides a method of treatment of a blood clotting disorder, which method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of a nucleic acid or a vector of the invention to a subject in need thereof.

Accordingly, the invention further provides use of a nucleic acid or vector as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the administration of a nucleic acid to a subject. Further, the invention provides a nucleic acid or vector as described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a blood clotting disorder.

Typically, a nucleic acid or a vector of the invention may be administered to a subject by gene therapy, in particular by use of a parvoviral gene therapy vector such as AAV. General methods for gene therapy are known in the art. The vector, composition or pharmaceutical composition may be delivered to a cell in vitro or ex vivo or to a subject in vivo by any suitable method known in the art. Alternatively, the vector may be delivered to a cell ex vivo, and the cell administered to a subject, as known in the art. In general, the present invention can be employed to deliver any nucleic acid of the invention to a cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo.

The present invention further provides a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell. Typically, for in vitro methods, the virus may be introduced into the cell by standard viral transduction methods, as are known in the art.

Preferably, the virus particles are added to the cells at the appropriate multiplicity of infection according to standard transduction methods appropriate for the particular target cells. Titres of virus to administer can vary, depending upon the target cell type and the particular virus vector, and may be determined by those of skill in the art without undue experimentation.

Cells may be removed from a subject, the parvovirus vector is introduced therein, and the cells are then replaced back into the subject. Methods of removing cells from subject for treatment ex vivo, followed by introduction back into the subject are known in the art. Alternatively, an AAV vector may be introduced into cells from another subject, into cultured cells, or into cells from any other suitable source, and the cells are administered to a subject in need thereof.

A further aspect of the invention is a method of treating subjects in vivo with a nucleic acid or vector of the invention. Administration of a nucleic acid or vector of the present invention to a human subject or an animal in need thereof can be by any means known in the art for administering virus vectors.

A nucleic acid or vector of the invention will typically be included in a pharmaceutical composition as set out above. Such compositions include the nucleic acid or vector in an effective amount, sufficient to provide a desired therapeutic or prophylactic effect, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. An “effective amount” includes a therapeutically effective amount or a prophylactically effective amount.

A “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic result, such as raising the level of functional Factor VIII in a subject (so as to lead to functional Factor VIII production to level sufficient to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease associated with a lack of that protein).

A therapeutically effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule or vector of the invention may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the individual, and the ability of the nucleic acid molecule or vector to elicit a desired response in the individual. Dosage regimens may be adjusted to provide the optimum therapeutic response. A therapeutically effective amount is also typically one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the nucleic acid molecule or vector are outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects.

Viral gene therapy vectors may be administered to a cell or host in a biologically-effective amount. A “biologically-effective” amount of the virus vector is an amount that is sufficient to result in infection (or transduction) and expression of the heterologous nucleic acid sequence in the cell. If the virus is administered to a cell in vivo (e. g., the virus is administered to a subject), a “biologically-effective” amount of the virus vector is an amount that is sufficient to result in transduction and expression of a nucleic acid according to the invention in a target cell.

For a nucleic acid molecule or vector of the invention, such as a gene therapy vector, the dosage to be administered may depend to a large extent on the condition and size of the subject being treated as well as the therapeutic formulation, frequency of treatment and the route of administration. Regimens for continuing therapy, including dose, formulation, and frequency may be guided by the initial response and clinical judgment. The parenteral route of injection into the interstitial space of tissue may be preferred, although other parenteral routes, such as inhalation of an aerosol formulation, may be required in specific administration. In some protocols, a formulation comprising the gene and gene delivery system in an aqueous carrier is injected into tissue in appropriate amounts.

Exemplary modes of administration include oral, rectal, transmucosal, topical, transdermal, inhalation, parenteral (e. g., intravenous, subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, and intraarticular) administration, and the like, as well as direct tissue or organ injection, alternatively, intrathecal, direct intramuscular, intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections. Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions. Alternatively, one may administer the virus in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, in a depot or sustained-release formulation.

The tissue/cell type to be administered a nucleic acid molecule or vector of the invention may be of any type, but will typically be a hepatic/liver cell. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular route of administration. However, in order that liver cells are transduced, a nucleic acid molecule or vector of the present invention may successfully be administered via the portal or arterial vasculature. Alternatively, the cell may be any progenitor cell. As a further alternative, the cell can be a stem cell (e. g., a liver stem cell). The tissue target may be specific or it may be a combination of several tissues, for example the liver and muscle tissues.

In the case of a gene therapy vector, the effective dose range for small animals such as mice, following intramuscular injection, may be between about 1×10¹¹ and about 1×10¹² genome copy (gc)/kg, and for larger animals (cats) and possibly human subjects, between about 1×10¹⁰ and about 1×10¹³ gc/kg. Dosages of the parvovirus gene therapy vector of the invention will depend upon the mode of administration, the disease or condition to be treated, the individual subject's condition, the particular virus vector, and the gene to be delivered, and can be determined in a routine manner. Typically, an amount of about 10³ to about 10¹⁶ virus particles per dose may be suitable. Preferably, an amount of about 10⁹ to about 10¹⁴ virus particles per dose is used. When treated in this way, a subject may receive a single dose of virus particles so that the viral particles effect treatment in a single administration.

The amount of active compound in the compositions of the invention may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the individual. Dosage regimens may be adjusted to provide the optimum therapeutic response. For example, a single bolus may be administered, several divided doses may be administered over time or the dose may be proportionally reduced or increased as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation.

It may be advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. “Dosage unit form” as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for subjects to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention may be dictated by the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and by the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of a condition in individuals.

Many methods for the preparation of such formulations are patented or generally known to those skilled in the art.

Also provided is a protein or glycoprotein expressed by a host cell of the invention.

Further provided is a transgenic animal comprising cells comprising a vector according to the invention. Preferably the animal is a non-human mammal, especially a primate such as a macaque. Alternatively, the animal may be a rodent, especially a mouse; or may be canine, feline, ovine or porcine.

In the aspect of the invention in which a promoter is provided comprising a nucleotide sequence having substantial homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, the promoter preferably has at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The promoter is preferably less than 400 bp, more preferably less than 350 bp, even more preferably less than 300 bp in size.

The invention further provides a second vector comprising the promoter of the invention. The vector may be any appropriate vector, including viral and non-viral vectors. Viral vectors include lenti-, adeno-, herpes viral vectors. It is preferably a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector. Alternatively, non-viral systems may be used to introduce the promoter in to a cell, including using naked DNA (with or without chromatin attachment regions) or conjugated DNA that is introduced into cells by various transfection methods such as lipids or electroporation.

The second vector may comprise any expressible nucleotide sequence to produce an expression product, but preferably also comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein or other molecule that should preferably be expressed in the liver, especially a blood clotting factor. The expressible nucleotide sequence may encode any gene that can be expressed from the liver, including those that are not specific for liver disorders. For instance, the liver may be used as a factory for synthesis of interferon that is then released and systemically distributed for the treatment of tumours at sites outside the liver. In addition to genes, the vector can also regulate the expression of sh or siRNA. The vector also preferably comprises any other components required for expression of the expressible sequence.

Also provided is a second isolated nucleic acid molecule. The isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a first nucleotide sequence having substantial homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; and a second nucleotide sequence having substantial homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The term substantial homology can be further defined with reference to a percentage homology. This is discussed in further detail herein.

In the second nucleic acid molecule (also referred to above in the first aspect of the invention), the two sequences may be contiguous or may be separated by a number of nucleotides. For example, the two sequences may be separated by a kozak sequence or one or more introns. The sequences are preferably operably linked, that is to say the second sequence, which encodes a promoter, is linked to the first sequence such that the first sequence may be expressed when introduced into a cell using a vector.

Also provided is a vector comprising the second nucleic acid molecule of the invention.

Further provided is a host cell comprising a vector according to the invention. The host cell may be any appropriate cell but is preferably a non-human mammalian cell, especially a primate cell. Cells may be used to produce the protein recombinantly, and any appropriate cell, such as a CHO cell, may be used.

Also provided is a protein or glycoprotein expressed by a host cell of the invention.

Further provided is a transgenic animal comprising cells comprising a vector according to the invention. Preferably the animal is a non-human mammal, especially a primate such as a macaque. Alternatively, the animal may be a rodent, especially a mouse; or may be canine, feline, ovine or porcine.

In the description above, the term “homology” is used to refer to the similarity of two sequences. This can also be described using the term “identity”. The terms “homology” and “identity” can be used interchangeably herein. For the purpose of this invention, it is defined here that in order to determine the percent identity of two nucleic acid sequences, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in the sequence of a first nucleic acid for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence). The nucleotide residues at nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid or nucleotide residue as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % identity=number of identical positions/total number of positions (i.e. overlapping positions)×100). Preferably, the two sequences are the same length.

A sequence comparison may be carried out over the entire lengths of the two sequences being compared or over fragment of the two sequences. Typically, the comparison will be carried out over the full length of the two sequences being compared. However, sequence identity may be carried out over a region of, for example, about twenty, about fifty, about one hundred, about two hundred, about five hundred, about 1000, about 2000, about 3000, about 4000, about 4500, about 5000 or more contiguous nucleic acid residues.

The skilled person will be aware of the fact that several different computer programs are available to determine the homology between two sequences. For instance, a comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two amino acid or nucleic acid sequences is determined using the Needleman and Wunsch (J. MoI. Biol. (48): 444-453 (1970)) algorithm which has been incorporated into the GAP program in the Accelrys GCG software package (available at http://www.accelrys.com/products/gcg/), using either a Blosum 62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The skilled person will appreciate that all these different parameters will yield slightly different results but that the overall percentage identity of two sequences is not significantly altered when using different algorithms.

The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention can further be used as a “query sequence” to perform a search against public databases to, for example, identify other family members or related sequences. Such searches can be performed using the BLASTN and BLASTP programs (version 2.0) of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. MoI. Biol. 215:403-10. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the BLASTP program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to protein molecules of the invention. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25(17): 3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., BLASTP and BLASTN) can be used. See the homepage of the National Center for Biotechnology Information at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

In this document and in its claims, the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. In addition, reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article “a” or “an” thus usually means “at least one”.

All patent and literature references cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

A skilled person will appreciate that all aspects of the invention, whether they relate to, for example, the nucleic acid, the vector, the host cell or the use, are equally applicable to all other aspects of the invention. In particular, aspects of the method of treatment, for example, the administration of the nucleic acid or vector, may have been described in greater detail than in some of the other aspects of the invention, for example, relating to the use of the nucleic acid or vector for treating haemophilia. However, the skilled person will appreciate where more detailed information has been given for a particular aspect of the invention, this information is likely to be equally applicable to other aspects of the invention. For example, the skilled person will appreciate that the description relating to vectors and host cells for the first aspect of the invention is applicable to all vectors and host cells of the invention. Further, the skilled person will also appreciate that the description relating to the method of treatment is equally applicable to the use of the nucleic acid or vector in treating haemophilia.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1: Human FVIII expression in haemophilia A mice. Top panel: A schematic of rAAV vector encoding the BDD hFVIII under the control of the LP1 liver specific promoter. Bottom panel: Human FVIII activity in mouse plasma at 8 weeks after tail vein administration of 2×10⁹ vg/mouse (N=4). Naïve animals were injected with excipient.

FIG. 2: A. Human FVIII activity in mouse plasma at 30 days following temporal vein administration of 1×10⁸ TU of lentiviral vectors encoding either the BDD, N6 or the codop-FVIII under the control of the SFFV promoter (N=4). B. hFVIII activity in supernatant harvested from HepG2 cells transfected with rAAV plasmid encoding FVIII variants under the control of the LP1 promoter or the smaller rAAV HLP-codop-FVIII expression cassette (N=3).

FIG. 3: A. Yield of rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII (n=5) pseudotyped with serotype 5 capsid when compared to the yield of scAAV-FIX containing a self complementary 2.3 kb cassette and single stranded rAAV vectors containing a 4.6 kb expression cassette. B. Native gel stained with ethidium bromide and C. Alkaline gel Southern analysis of the rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII viral genome derived from two separate preparations (1 and 2).

FIG. 4: A. Mean FVIII levels±SEM in murine plasma after a single tail vein administration of rAAV-hFVIII constructs pseudotyped with serotype 5 capsid (dose=4×10¹¹ vg/mouse, N=3). B. Mean (±SEM) proviral copy number in murine liver transduced with rAAV5-hFVIII variants.

FIG. 5: A. Southern blot: Left panel showing double digest (Kpn-1) of liver genomic DNA derived from mice (M1 and M2) transduced with rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII. Right panel showing uncut DNA or that digested with a single cutter (Not-1). HH and HT=head to head and head to tail concantemers. B. Western blot showing a single ˜210 kd band in the plasma of mice transduced with rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII, which is not present in naive mouse plasma or positive control consisting of full length recombinant human FVIII (rhFVIII) diluted in mouse plasma.

FIG. 6: A. Relationship between rAAV5-HLP-codop-hFVIII dose and hFVIII levels in murine plasma and transgene copy number at 6 weeks following gene transfer. B. Kinetics of hFVIII expression following a single tail vein administration of 4×1012 vg/mouse of rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII pseudotyped with serotype 5 or 8 capsid. Shown are mean levels±SEM.

FIG. 7: A. FVIII activity and antigen level in F8−/− mice following a single tail vein administration of low and high dose of rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII. B and C. Bleeding time and blood loss in F8−/− mice following rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII gene transfer compared to untransduced F8−/− mice and normal wild type animals.

FIG. 8: (A) Schematic representation of human FVIII variants designed and cloned into a SIN lentiviral vector backbone. Nine different human FVIII variants were designed and cloned into a lentiviral vector backbone plasmid: BDD FVIII; B-domain deleted human FVIII (4.3 kb total size). FVIII Fugu B; BDD FVIII containing the Fugu B-domain (4.9 kb total size). FVIII N6; BDD FVIII containing the human N6 B-domain (5.0 kb total size). SQ FVIII; BDD FVIII containing a modified version of the SQ amino acid sequence SQ^(m) (4.4 kb total size). SQ FVIII Fugu B; SQ FVIII containing the Fugu B-domain between the SQ^(m) sequence to create the N terminal SQ^(a) and C terminal SQ^(b) sequences (5.0 kb total size). SQ FVIII N6; SQ FVIII containing the human N6 B-domain (5.1 kb total size). Constructs SQ FVIII (co) (4.4 kb total size), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) (5.0 kb total size), and SQ FVIII N6 (co) (5.1 kb total size) are the same amino acid structure as constructs SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, and SQ FVIII N6, respectively, but are produced from a codon optimised cDNA sequence. Relative domain size is not accurate. Dashes on constructs mark asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation sites within the B-domain only. (B) Schematics of SQ and modified SQ sequences; SQ^(m), SQ^(a) and SQ^(b). The SQ sequence is a 14 amino acid bridge between the a2 and a3 domains of FVIII created by fusing Ser743 and Gln1638 in the B-domain. The sequence promotes efficient intracellular cleavage by containing the 4 amino acid protease recognition site RHQR. A modified SQ sequence (SQ^(m)) was created containing a missense mutation from Lys1644 to Thr1644 caused by the creation of an MluI restriction enzyme site within the cDNA sequence for insertion of the Fugu and N6 B-domains. SQ^(a) is the 11aa sequence created at the N-terminal of the B-domain after insertion of the N6 or Fugu B-domain sequences into the SQ FVIII construct. SQ^(b) is the 5 amino acid sequence created at the C-terminal of the B-domain after insertion of the N6 or Fugu B-domain sequences into the SQ FVIII construct, this sequence retains the 4 amino acid protease recognition site. MluI restriction sites are shown underlined and the K to T missense mutation is at the left hand amino acid position of the MluI restriction site.

FIG. 9: Relative human fVIII activity of FVIII constructs in vitro as determined by chromogenic assay. 1×10⁵ 293T cells were transduced with serial dilutions of BDD FVIII, FVIII Fugu B, FVIII N6, SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, SQ FVIII N6, SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), or SQ FVIII N6 (co). At 48 hours cell media was changed for 500 μL serum free media. After a further 24 hours incubation media was collected from all wells and assayed for factor VIII expression using a chromogenic based assay to measure factor VIII cofactor activity. Results were then normalised on copy number per cell determined by qPCR. Mean and SD shown for n=5. Values above bars represent the fold increase in FVIII expression from codon optimised constructs in comparison to equivalent non-codon optimised sequences. * Statistical analyses were performed using general linear model (GLM) based on two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with individual pairwise comparisons performed using Bonferroni simultaneous tests (Minitab software, Myerstown, Pa.). Results show a highly significant increase for SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), and SQ FVIII N6 (co) in comparison to their non codon optimised equivalents SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, SQ FVIII N6, respectively, (P<0.0001). In addition, results for codon optimised vectors also show a significant increase for SQ FVIII N6 (co) in comparison to SQ FVIII (co) (P<0.0001), and a significant increase for SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) in comparison to both SQ FVIII (co) and SQ FVIII N6 (co) (P<0.0001).

FIG. 10: Expression of human FVIII activity in vivo in blood plasma of hemophiliac mice after intravenous injection of SIN lentiviral vectors expressing bioengineered FVIII constructs. Six to ten F8^(tm2Kaz) haemophilic neonatal mice were injected intravenously via the superficial temporal vein with SIN lentiviral vectors expressing bioengineered human FVIII constructs. Mice were bled at various time-points over approximately 250 days and a chromogenic assay used to calculate the activity of human FVIII in blood plasma taken from each mouse as a percentage of normal human levels. (A) SQ FVIII (white diamonds) vs. SQ FVIII (co) (black triangles). (B) SQ FVIII Fugu B (white diamonds) vs. SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) (black triangles). (C) SQ FVIII N6 (white diamonds) vs. SQ FVIII N6 (co) (black triangles). Points on graphs represent the mean; error bars represent the standard deviation. Statistical analyses were performed using general linear model (GLM) based on two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with individual pairwise comparisons performed using Bonferroni simultaneous tests (Minitab software, Myerstown, Pa.).

FIG. 11: FVIII activity levels in vivo in plasma taken from mice injected with vector expressing FVIII from codon optimised cDNA sequences. Activity of human FVIII in blood plasma taken from mice injected with lentiviral vector expressing SQ FVIII (co) (grey circles), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) (white diamonds), and SQ FVIII N6 (co) (black triangles) collated. Points on graphs represent the mean, error bars represent the SD. No significant difference in expression is noted between constructs expressing different B-domains (P>0.5, Bonferroni simultaneous test).

FIG. 12: Quantification of vector copy number in tissues of hemophiliac mice after intravenous injection of SIN lentiviral vectors expressing bioengineered FVIII constructs. Liver, spleen, heart, lung and kidney tissue were taken from mice sacrificed at ˜250 days post neonatal injection of lentiviral vectors expressing SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, SQ FVIII N6, SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), and SQ FVIII N6 (co). Genomic DNA was extracted and viral copy number determined using qPCR. Line represents the mean of all points. No significant difference in copy number was observed between any vector group (P>0.1, Bonferroni simultaneous test).

EXAMPLE 1

Packaging of an hFVIII Expression Cassette into rAAV

The inventors have established that a 6.0 kb expression cassette containing the BDD-FVIII cDNA under the control of the previously described liver specific promoter (LP1) can be efficiently packaged into rAAV vectors pseudotyped with serotype 5 capsid proteins (rAAV5-LP1-BDD-hFVIII) using the conventional 3 plasmid transient transfection method. Tail vein administration of only 2×10⁹ rAAV5-LP1-BDD-hFVIII particles into adult male FVIIIKO mice resulted in FVIII coagulation activity of 18±5.3% using a chromogenic assay (FIG. 1), which is significantly above the level required for amelioration of the bleeding diathesis in humans (>1% of normal).

Scale-Up of rAAV-hFVIII Vector Production

The inventors have established a GMPP compatible, simple, scalable rAAV production method using the baculovirus expression vector and insect cells. A key advantage of the baculovirus system is the ease with which production can be scaled up. It has been possible to generate 1×10¹⁴ vector genomes (vg) from a single production run using a bioreactor. This quantity would be sufficient for a Phase I/II HA clinical trial. Initial yields with our first generation FVIII vector (rAAV5-LP1-BDD-hFVIII) are in the order of 5×10¹¹ vg from 1 litre of cell culture.

Expression from Codon Optimised hFVIII

The inventors have designed an alternative hFVIII construct (codop-FVIII) to test the hypothesis that replacing infrequently used codons in the cDNA with those more commonly found in mammalian genes (“codon optimisation”) will generate increased expression of hFVIII following gene transfer. A similar exercise for coagulation factors IX and VII improved expression by up to 10 fold when compared to the wild type cognates. The strategy for the design of the codop-hFVIII involved back translating the hFVIII amino acid sequence with a set of codons most frequently found in highly expressed mammalian genes. This modified sequence was then carefully scanned and codons were further modified to improve mRNA stability and remove undesirable sequences, such as excess CpG dinucleotides, and cryptic splice sites. The final designed codop-hFVIII sequence contains 1076 single by changes from the wild type N6-FVIII sequence, and is 42% A+T, relative to 56% A+T content of the wild type sequence. The codop FVIII sequence is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Initially, this codop-FVIII variant was cloned into a lentiviral vector down stream of the constitutive spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) promoter and its potency assessed in new born FVIIIKO mice by injecting 1×10⁸ TU into the temporal vein. For comparison two separate cohorts of newborn FVIIIKO mice were transduced with an equivalent titre of an identical vector encoding either the BDD or the more potent N6 FVIII variants. As shown in FIG. 2a , and consistent with previous reports, lentiviral vectors encoding the N6-FVIII (15±0.8% of normal) mediated 5 fold higher levels of transgene expression when compared to the BDD variant (3±0.6% of normal). In comparison, hFVIII expression in the plasma of codop-FVIII cohort of mice (283±0.21% of normal) was at least 18 fold higher than that achieved with N6-FVIII. The inventors have cloned the BDD, N6 and codop FVIII variants into their standard rAAV vector (Nathwani A. et al. Blood. 2007 Feb. 15; 109(4): 1414-1421) under the LP1 promoter. In addition, codop-FVIII has also been cloned down stream of a new smaller hybrid liver specific promoter (HLP). The HLP promoter has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. Evaluation of these rAAV vectors plasmids in a transient transfection assay in HepG2 liver cell-line (FIG. 2b ) showed that the LP1 rAAV vectors encoding codop-FVIII (0.38±0.06 IU/ml) mediated FVIII expression at levels that were between 4 (0.09±0.02 IU/ml) and 8 (0.05±0.02 IU/ml) fold higher than achieved with rAAV-LP1-N6-FVIII and rAAV-LP1-BDD-FVIII respectively. Collectively, therefore, these data suggest that the inventors codop-FVIII molecule is more potent than the N6-FVIII variant. Notably, the slightly smaller rAAV-HLP-codop-FVIII vector plasmid consistently generates between 30-50% higher yields of vector than rAAV-LP1-codop-FVIII.

HLP-Codop-hFVIII Expression Cassette Can Be Packaged into AAV Virions

The ˜5.6 kb rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII expression cassettes exceed the 4.6 kb packaging limit of AAV vectors but was successfully packaged into AAV virions with the same efficiency as scAAV-FIX vector that is being used in on-going clinic trial (FIG. 3A) using the conventional HEK293T transient transfection method. Others have shown that up to 6.6-kb vector sequence may be packaged into AAV virions. Additionally, Dr High's group at the University of Pennsylvania, independently verified that up to 6×10¹³ rAAV8 pseudotyped particles of rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII could be derived following transient transfection from just 20 roller-bottles of HEK293 cells (Yield=6×10⁴ vg/293T cell). To demonstrate that the rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII vector genome was packaged in its entirety, DNA was extracted from virions derived from two separate stocks, after DNaseI treatment and separated on native and alkaline agarose gel and then assessed following ethidium bromide staining or Southern blot analysis respectively. A prominent band of approximately 5.7 kb was noted with both assessment methods (FIGS. 3B and C).

Codop-hFVIII is More Potent but as Safe as the N6 or BDD hFVIII Variants

rAAV vectors pseudotyped with serotype 5 capsid encoding the codop, N6 and the BDD-hFVIII variant under the control of either the LP1 or HLP promoters were injected via the tail vein (4×10¹¹ vg/mouse, N=3/group) of male 4-6 week C57B1/6 mice. As shown in FIG. 4, a single tail vein administration of rAAV-LP1-codop-hFVIII resulted in 0.20±0.03 IU/ml (=20% of normal levels) of hFVIII in murine plasma without any toxicity. Expression of hFVIII was 10 fold lower in mice transduced with 4×10¹¹ vg/mouse of rAAV-LP1-N6-hFVIII (0.02±0.0003 IU/ml=2% of normal), which encodes the wild type hFVIII DNA sequence instead of codon-optimised FVIII nucleotide sequence in codop-hFVIII. This difference in expression between these two vectors which are otherwise identical is highly significant (p=0.0003, one way ANOVA). Replacing the LP1 promoter with the smaller liver specific HLP promoter resulted in marginally higher levels (0.22±0.04 IU/ml) of hFVIII in the plasma of mice transduced with 4×10¹¹ vg/kg of rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII when compared to the rAAV-LP1-codop-hFVIII cohort but this difference was not significant (p=0.6). The lowest level of hFVIII expression was observed in the plasma of mice that received 4×10¹¹ vg/mouse of rAAV-LP1-BDD-hFVIII (0.01±0.001 IU/ml), which approximates to 1% of normal levels. Importantly, these differences in the level of hFVIII expression were not related to vector copy number as qPCR analysis shows similar vector copy number in the genomic DNA extracted from liver of animals in each group ranging from 0.9-1 proviral copies/cell. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from the liver of mice transduced with LP1-codop-hFVIII at 6 weeks after gene transfer digested with Kpn-1, which twice cuts within the codop-hFVIII expression cassette, released a band of the expected size of approximately 1.9 kb (FIG. 5A). Digestion with Not-I, which is a single cutter, generated two bands of ˜5 kb and ˜10 kb corresponding to head-to-tail and head-to-head concatemer fragments in a ratio of 3:1 respectively. Western blot analysis showed that the codop-hFVIII is secreted as a single chain 210 kd protein, which as expected is smaller in size when compared to full length recombinant FVIII (Helixate, FIG. 5B, left lane) as two thirds of the B domain has been deleted from codop-hFVIII.

Next, different doses of rAAV5-HLP-codop-hFVIII were administered via the tail vein to male C57B1/6 mice and plasma hFVIII levels were assessed at 6 weeks. As shown in FIG. 6A, a relatively linear relationship was observed between vector dose, plasma hFVIII levels and transgene copy number with no evidence of saturation kinetics even at the higher dose levels. Administration of 4×10¹⁰ vg/mouse of rAAV5-HLP-codop-hFVIII resulted in low but detectable hFVIII expression at 0.5% of normal. The rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII transgene copy number in the liver of these animals was also 7 fold lower (0.12±0.06 copies/cell) that in the 4×10¹¹ vg/mouse dose cohort. An increase in the vector dose to 4×10¹² vg/mouse resulted in plasma hFVIII levels of around 190% of physiological levels (1.9±0.3 IU/ml). The rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII transgene copy number in the liver of these mice was over 330 fold higher (43.5±2.5 proviral copies/cell) than the levels observed in animals transduced with 4×10¹¹ vg/mouse. and approximately in the liver. No toxicity was observed at any of the dose levels and histological examination of the organ after necropsy at 6 weeks did not show any significant pathology. The transgene expression profile was next assessed in two cohorts of mice (n=3) following tail vein administration of 4×10¹² vg/mouse of rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII pseudotyped with serotype 5 and 8 capsid proteins. As per previous reports by the inventors with other single stranded rAAV vectors, hFVIII was detectable within two weeks of gene transfer prior to reaching steady state levels of 23±6 IU/ml and 54±12 IU/ml by 10 weeks in mice transduced with rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII pseudotyped with serotype 5 and 8 capsid respectively (FIG. 6B). At all time points the level of hFVIII in the rAAV8-HLP-codop-hFVIII cohort was between 2-10 fold higher when compared to the levels achieved in mice that received serotype 5 capsid pseudotyped vector. This difference is highly significant (p<0.001) and is consistent with similar serotype specific differences in rAAV mediated transduction reported previously. Plasma thrombin-antithrombin complexes (2.2±0.2 μg/l) were not elevated, indicating that supraphysiological levels of hFVIII do not induce a noticeable hypercoagulable state in mice. Finally, anti-hFVIII antibodies were not detected in the rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII mice at any stage after gene transfer.

rAAV-HLP-Codop-hFVIII Corrects Bleeding Diathesis in Haemophilia A Mice

To confirm correction of the bleeding phenotype, the inventors injected either 4×10¹¹ (low-dose cohort, n=3) or 5×10¹² (high-dose cohort, n=3) rAAV5-HLP-codop-hFVIII vector genomes into the tail vein of haemophilia A knockout mice, which are of mixed C57B16/J-129 Sv background and contain a deletion in exon 16 of murine FVIII. Peak hFVIII levels, as determined by a one-stage clotting assay, were 137±27% and 374±18% of normal levels in the low and high-dose cohorts of mice respectively (FIG. 7A). These levels were significantly above background (untreated HA haemophiliac (FVIIIKO) mice hFVIII:C level=<2% of normal) and significantly higher than the therapeutic of >5% of normal. There was very close concordance between hFVIII activity and antigen levels at all time points examined with an average ratio of 1.16. The bleeding time in the AAV treated and untreated F8−/− mice as well wild-type control mice was assessed using a tail clip assay. The time to first arrest of bleeding in the rAAV5-HLP-codop-hFVIII was significantly shorter (p=0.003) at 114±3 and 74±14 seconds in the low and high dose cohorts respectively when compared to untreated F8−/− mice (311±3 seconds) and comparable to that in control wild-type animals (74±20 seconds). Similarly, the amount of blood loss as assessed by spectrophotometric analysis of the haemoglobin content in saline into which the clipped mouse tail is immersed was substantially lower (p=0.002) in the rAAV5-HLP-codop-hFVIII F8−/− mice when compared to untreated F8−/− animals. Anti-hFVIII antibodies were not detected in the rAAV treated HA mice at any stage after gene transfer.

Collectively, therefore, these data suggest that the codop-hFVIII molecule is more potent than the N6-hFVIII variant. Additionally, the codop-hFVIII expression cassette appears to be well packaged into rAAV virons despite its relatively large size when compared to wild-type AAV genome. hFVIII is expressed as a single chain biologically active protein following rAAV gene transfer that is able to correct the bleeding phenotype in haemophilia A knock out animals.

EXAMPLE 2

Introduction

Hemophilia A is a serious bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in, or complete absence of, the blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). It is the most common hereditary coagulation disorder with an incidence approaching around 1 in 5000 males¹. The disorder is an attractive candidate for gene therapy because only a modest increase in FVIII plasma concentration is needed for therapeutic benefit, with levels of >1% able to achieve markedly reduced rates of spontaneous bleeding and long term arthropathy². However, although preclinical results using gene therapy in animal models of hemophilia A have been encouraging, no approach as yet has been translated to clinical success where insufficient levels of FVIII expression have been observed³.

Low FVIII expression is principally caused by inefficient expression of the mRNA⁴⁻⁶, a significant proportion of protein misfolding with subsequent intracellular degradation, and inefficient transport of the primary translation product from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi^(7;8). This results in expression levels of FVIII approximately 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than those of other comparably sized secreted proteins⁴. Insights over the past two decades into the secretion pathway, FVIII protein structure and function, and mechanisms of inhibitor development have led to the incorporation of bioengineered forms of FVIII in gene transfer systems. Bioengineering aims to improve properties such as biosynthesis, secretion efficiency, functional activity, plasma half-life, and to reduce antigenicity/immunogenicity⁹. FVIII is produced as a large 330 kDa glycoprotein with the domain structure A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2^(10;11), where both the A and C domains have internal sequence homology and approximately 40% sequence identity to the A and C domains of factor V (FV), which shares the same domain structure^(12;13). The B-domain, which constitutes 38% of the total sequence, shares no amino acid sequence identity with other known proteins, including the B-domain of FV. It is, however, extensively glycosylated and contains 19 of the 26 asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation sites on the whole FVIII molecule¹⁴. FVIII B-domain is dispensable for procoagulant activity. FVIII in which the B-domain is deleted (BDD) and replaced by a short 11 amino acid linker (FVIII SQ; FIG. 8b ) is in clinical use as a replacement recombinant FVIII product (Refacto, Wyeth Pharma)¹⁵.

It has been shown that deletion of the entire B-domain leads to a 17-fold increase in mRNA and primary translation product, however, only a 30% increase in the levels of secreted protein, suggesting that the rate of ER-Golgi transport is actually reduced¹⁶. Efficient FVIII secretion requires carbohydrate-facilitated transport by LMAN1 (lectin mannose binding-1) mediated by mannose residues of N-linked oligosaccharides post-translationally attached to the B-domain. To build on the advantages of BDD-FVIII whilst aiding LMAN1 mediated transport Miao et al. (2004)¹⁷ added back a short B-domain sequence to the BDD-FVIII, optimally 226 amino acids and retaining 6 sites for N-linked glycosylation (226/N6). This resulted in a 10-fold increase in secretion in vitro from transfected COS-1 cells and a 5-fold increase in vivo following hydrodynamic hepatic gene delivery¹⁷.

The teleost puffer fish Fugu rubripes is a commonly used organism for investigation of genetics. Fugu has a basic vertebrate genome and contains a similar repertoire of genes to humans, however, in 1993 it was shown that the Fugu genome is only 390 Mb, about one-eighth the size of the human genome¹⁸. This makes Fugu an extremely useful model for annotating the human genome and a valuable ‘reference’ genome for identifying genes and other functional elements. Sequence analysis of genes in the blood coagulation system showed that Fugu amino acid sequences are highly conserved relative to their human orthologues. For FVIII cDNA sequences the Fugu A1, A2, A3, C1 and C2 domains show 46, 43, 47, 52 and 50% sequence identity to human orthologues, respectively. Conversely, the Fugu factor VIII B-domain shares only 6% sequence identity to its human counterpart. However, although there is no apparent sequence conservation between B-domains the Fugu B-domain is also highly glycosylated with 11 asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation attachment sites across its 224 amino acid length¹⁹.

In this study the inventors examined the expression of human BDD FVIII constructs containing the previously described ‘SQ’ B-domain element, the 226/N6 B-domain fragment and the Fugu B-domain. Constructs were tested under the control of the Spleen Focus Forming Virus (SFFV) promoter in the context of a self-inactivating (SIN) HIV-1 based lentiviral vector (LV). Furthermore, constructs were expressed from either a codon optimised or non-codon optimised cDNA sequence. Multiple transcriptional silencers and inhibitory motifs are widely distributed throughout the FVIII cDNA^(4;6;20-22), and these sequences act as potent inhibitors of RNA production and protein formation which can hamper expression in vivo. FVIII expression for all constructs was compared in vitro by transduction of 293T cells and in vivo by intravenous injection of vector into neonatal hemophilia A mice. Varying the B-domain made a significant difference to expression of factor VIII from codon optimised cDNA sequences in vitro, however, no difference was observed in vivo. Direct comparison of bioengineered FVIII constructs showed that significantly greater levels (up to a 44-fold increase and in excess of 200% normal human levels) of active FVIII protein were detected in the plasma of mice transduced with vector expressing FVIII from a codon optimised cDNA sequence, successfully correcting the disease model. To date, this is the highest relative increase in FVIII expression following bioengineering of BDD FVIII resulting in unprecedented, stable FVIII expression in vivo using a lentiviral-based approach.

Methods

FVIII Transgene and Lentiviral Vector Construction

The expression plasmid pMT2-FVIII was obtained as a kind gift from Dr. Steven W. Pipe (University of Michigan). This plasmid contains the human FVIII gene with a Fugu B-domain. The hFVIII gene had a B-domain deletion from amino acids 740-1649 and an MluI restriction site (ACG′CGT) engineered by site directed mutagenesis at amino acid positions 739-740 causing the missense mutation Pro739 to Thr739 in the a2 domain. The Fugu B-domain had been cloned in using flanking MluI restriction sites on 5′ and 3′ creating a 4935 bp hFVIII Fugu B gene. The FVIII Fugu B gene was removed in three parts using a digest with XhoI and KpnI to remove a 1.83 kb fragment, a partial digest with KpnI and MluI to remove a 1.06 kb fragment, and PCR amplification of the last 2.066 kb section using primers that created MluI and SbfI sites on the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. Each section was sequentially cloned into pLNT/SFFV-MCS using the same enzymes to create pLNT/SFFV-FVIII Fugu B. The construct was fully sequenced upon completion. pLNT/SFFV-BDD FVIII was produced by digest of pLNT/SFFV-FVIII Fugu B with MluI to remove the Fugu B-domain and religation. The 226/N6 B-domain sequence was manufactured by GeneArt (Regensburg, Germany) to produce a standard GeneArt plasmid containing 226/N6; pGA_N6_nonopt, the sequence was obtained by taking the first 678 bp of the human FVIII B-domain (cDNA found at Genbank: A05328), 5′ and 3′ flanking MluI sites were then added. N6 was then removed from pGA_N6_nonopt and ligated into pLNT/SFFV-BDD FVIII using MluI to create pLNT/SFFV-FVIII N6. The SQ cDNA sequence was obtained from²³ and was modified to contain an MluI site (underlined) to give the SQ^(m) cDNA sequence: 5′-AGC′TTC′AGC′CAG′AAC′CCC′CCC′GTG′CTG′ACG′CGT′CAC′CAG′CGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 8) (FIG. 8b ). LNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII Fugu B was produced by site directed mutagenesis performed by Eurofins MWG Operon (Ebersberg, Germany) to add the flanking SQ^(a) and SQ^(b) (FIG. 8b ) sequences into the plasmid pLNT/SFFV-FVIII Fugu B to produce pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII Fugu B. pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII was then produced by removal of the Fugu B-domain from pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII Fugu B by digest with MluI and religation. pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII N6 was produced by removal of the 226/N6 B-domain from pGA_N6_nonopt by digestion with MluI and ligation into pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII. In this construct there is a repeat of the 11aa SQ^(a) sequence caused by the insertion of the N6 B-domain into the SQ^(m) sequence. Codon optimised sequences were created by analysis of the SQ FVIII Fugu B cDNA and adaption of the codon usage to the bias of Homo sapiens using codon adaptation index (CAI) performed by GeneArt (Regensburg, Germany) using their in-house proprietary software GeneOptimizer®. Optimisation also removed cis-acting sequence motifs including internal TATA-boxes, chi-sites and ribosomal entry sites, AT- or GC-rich sequence stretches, AU-rich elements, inhibitory and cis-acting repressor sequence elements, repeat sequences, RNA secondary structures, and all cryptic splice sites. Optimisation of SQ FVIII Fugu B included the removal of 14 splice sites, an increase in GC-content from ˜45% to ˜60% and an increase in CAI from 0.74 to 0.97. A Kozak sequence was introduced to increase translation initiation, and two stop codons were added to ensure efficient termination. The optimised gene retained the B domain flanking MluI restriction sites on the Fugu B domain and has 75.8% sequence similarity to the original non-optimised sequence. The optimised gene was cloned into pLNT/SFFV-MCS to give the plasmid pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII Fugu B (co). The plasmid pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII (co) was created by digestion of pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) with MluI and religation. The 226/N6 B domain sequence from pGA_N6_nonopt was codon optimised and manufactured by GeneArt. It was received in the plasmid pGA_N6_opt and as the MluI restriction sites were maintained cloned directly into the pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII (co) plasmid to obtain the construct pLNT/SFFV-SQ FVIII N6 (co), again, this construct will contain an 11aa SQ^(a) repeat sequence caused by the insertion of the B domain into the SQ^(m) sequence. Each construct was fully sequenced before testing. The codon optimised SQ FVIII N6 sequence is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. The codon optimised SQ FVIII sequence is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. The codon optimised SQ FVIII Fugu B sequence is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.

Lentiviral Vector Production and Titration

Lentiviral vectors were produced by transient cotransfection of HEK293T (293T) cells with 3 plasmids (the lentiviral vector, pMd.G2 [vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) envelope plasmid], and pCMVΔ8.91 [packaging plasmid, both produced by Plasmid Factory, Bielefeld, Germany], employing polyethylenimine (Sigma-Aldrich, Poole, UK). Viral supernatant was harvested and concentrated using ultracentrifugation (25,000×g for 2 h at 4° C.). Aliquots of viruses were stored at −80° C. The titres of all lentiviral vectors were determined using a colorimetric reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Roche, West Sussex, UK) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and qPCR to determine an approximate titre in vector genomes per mL (vg/mL).

Measurement of FVIII Activity

The cofactor activity of blood plasma samples and in vitro cell culture media samples was assessed using the Biophen Factor VIII:C Chromagenic Assay (Biophen, Quadratech Diagnostics, Epsom, UK) as per manufacturer's instructions. Samples were diluted 1:20 to 1:40 in sample diluent provided and analysed in duplicate. A standard curve in % FVIII cofactor activity was constructed by diluting normal control plasma (Biophen, Quadratech Diagnostics) 1:20, carrying out four 1:2 serial dilutions, and running in duplicate. Abnormal control plasma (Biophen, Quadratech Diagnostics) was also used as a further quality control for the assay.

Lentiviral Transduction

293T cells were maintained in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (DMEM) (Gibco Life Technologies Ltd, Paisley, UK) and supplemented with 50 IU/mL penicillin, 50 μg/mL streptomycin, and 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS; Gibco). For lentiviral transduction five wells of 1×10⁵ 293T cells were transduced with serial dilutions of vector in a total volume of 300 μL DMEM+10% FCS. 48 hours post-transduction cell media was changed for 500 μL OptiMEM (Gibco). After a further 24 hours incubation media was collected from all wells and assayed for factor VIII activity using a FVIII chromogenic assay. Genomic DNA was then extracted from cells and viral copy number quantified using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR).

In Vivo Methods

All mice were handled according to procedures approved by the UK Home Office and the Imperial College London Research Ethics Committee. Haemophilia A mice (F8^(tm2Kaz)) generated by deletion of exon 17²⁴ were maintained on a 129SV background. 0-1 day old neonatal mice were subject to brief (<5 minutes) hypothermic anaesthesia and 40 μL of concentrated lentiviral vector (equivalent to 4×10⁷-1×10⁸ transducing units per mouse) injected into the superficial temporal vein. For coagulation factor assays 100 μL of peripheral blood was collected from anaesthetised mice by tail vein bleed. Blood was mixed immediately in a ratio of 1:9 with sodium citrate, centrifuged at 13000 rpm in a micro-centrifuge for five minutes and plasma transferred to fresh micro-centrifuge tube and stored at −20° C. before assaying.

Determination of Vector Copy Number by Real-Time Quantitative PCR

Genomic DNA was extracted from cells using a standard salting-out method²⁵. Real-time qPCR was carried out in triplicate for each sample to determine viral copy number. qPCR was performed using an ABI 7000 Sequence Detection System (ABI, Applied Biosystems, Warrington, United Kingdom). Total viral DNA was quantified using primers 5′-TGTGTGCCCGTCTGTTGTGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 9) and 5′-GAGTCCTGCGTCGAGAGAGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 10) and Taqman probe (FAM) 5′-CGCCCGAACAGGGACTTGAA-3′ (TAMRA) (SEQ ID NO: 11). The mouse titin gene (Ttn) was used as an endogenous 2-copy gene control for mouse cells and was quantified using primers 5′-AAAACGAGCAGTGACCTGAGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 12) and 5′-TTCAGTCATGCTGCTAGCGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 13) and Taqman probe (FAM) 5′-TGCACGGAATCTCGTCTCAGTC-3′ (TAMRA) (SEQ ID NO: 14). The human beta-actin gene (ACTB) was used as an endogenous 2-copy gene control for HEK-293T cells and was quantified using primers 5′-TCACCCACAAGTTGCCCATCTACGA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 15) and 5′-CAGCGGAACCGCTCATTGCCAATGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 16) and Taqman probe (FAM) 5′-ATGCCCTCCCCCATGCCATCCTGCGT-3′ (TAMRA) (SEQ ID NO: 17).

Statistical Analysis

Data are expressed as mean values plus or minus SD. Statistical analyses were performed using a general linear model (GLM) based on one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with individual pairwise comparisons performed using Bonferroni simultaneous tests (Minitab software, Myerstown, Pa.).

Results

Generation of Bioengineered FVIII Variants and Production of FVIII-Expressing SIN Lentiviral Vectors

To overcome low protein expression associated with haemophilia A gene transfer applications the inventors investigated the expression from bioengineered FVIII transgenes containing various B-domain elements from codon optimised or non-codon optimised cDNA sequences. The following FVIII variants were generated (FIG. 8a ): BDD human FVIII containing a B-domain deletion between amino acids 740-1649 with a missense mutation Pro739 to Thr739 in the a2 domain previously described by Miao et al. (2004)¹⁷ (herein referred to as BDD FVIII); BDD FVIII containing the 201aa Fugu B-domain containing 11 (N)-linked glycosylation sites between aa's 740 and 1649 (herein referred to as FVIII Fugu B); BDD FVIII containing the 226aa/N6 human B-domain fragment containing 6 (N)-linked glycosylation sites between aa's 740 and 1649 previously described by Miao et al. (2004)¹⁷ (herein referred to as FVIII N6); BDD FVIII containing a modified 14-amino acid SQ activation peptide SQ^(m) between aa's 740 and 1649 (SFSQNPPVLTRHQR) (SEQ ID NO: 18) (missense mutation Lys to Thr underlined), contains the RHQR furin recognition sequence to increase intracellular cleavage, the original SQ activation peptide sequence described by Sandberg et al. (2001)²³ (herein referred to as SQ FVIII); SQ FVIII containing the Fugu B-domain inserted into the SQ^(m) sequence. This causes the SQ^(m) sequence to be split either side of the B-domain insert with the N-terminal sequence (SFSQNPPVLTR) (SEQ ID NO: 19) is referred to as SQ^(a), and the C-terminal sequence containing the furin recognition site RHQR as SQ^(b) (TRHQR) (SEQ ID NO: 20) (herein referred to as SQ FVIII Fugu B); SQ FVIII containing the 226aa/N6 B-domain inserted into the SQ^(m) sequence creating SQ^(a) and SQ^(b) sequences on the N- and C-terminal sides of the B-domain, respectively. In this construct there is a repeat of the 11aa SQ^(a) sequence caused by the insertion of the N6 B-domain into the SQ^(m) sequence. It is unknown the effect that this repeat will have upon FVIII secretion and function (herein referred to as SQ FVIII N6). Constructs ‘SQ FVIII (co)’, ‘SQ FVIII Fugu B (co)’ and ‘SQ FVIII N6 (co)’ are identical in amino acid structure as constructs ‘SQ FVIII’, ‘SQ FVIII Fugu B’ and ‘SQ FVIII N6’, respectively, but are translated from a codon optimised cDNA sequence (FIG. 8a ). Representation of SQ, SQ^(m), SQ^(a), and SQ^(b) are shown in FIG. 8b . All constructs were cloned into a SIN lentiviral backbone under control of the SFFV promoter and transgene sequences were confirmed by automated DNA sequencing.

Vectors were produced for all nine factor VIII constructs and tested for physical titre using the reverse transcriptase protein assay. They were then tested using qPCR to determine an approximate titre in vector genomes per mL (vg/mL) (Table 1). There was no substantial difference in titre between constructs.

TABLE 1 Physical titre of FVIII vectors as determined by reverse transcriptase assay and qPCR. Quantification of reverse transcriptase (RT) protein concentration in viral stocks, measured by performing a RT colorimetric assay, quantified in ng/μL and estimated titre calculated from this. Mean shown of n = 3. Quantification of titre in vector genomes per mL was determined using qPCR. 1 × 10⁵ 293T cells were transduced with a serial dilution of vector, after 72 hours genomic DNA was extracted from cells and qPCR carried out for both WPRE and the human housekeeping gene β-actin. Mean shown of n = 5. Average Reverse Transcriptase Estimated Titre Titre Virus (ng/μL) (TU/mL) (vg/mL) BDD FVIII 10.9 3.71 × 10⁹  1.14 × 10⁸ FVIII Fugu B 46.5 1.58 × 10¹⁰ 1.58 × 10⁹ FVIII N6 30.7 1.04 × 10¹⁰ 1.07 × 10⁹ SQ FVIII 68.3 2.32 × 10¹⁰ 2.91 × 10⁹ SQ FVIII Fugu B 44.8 1.52 × 10¹⁰ 1.18 × 10⁹ SQ FVIII N6 78.0 2.65 × 10¹⁰  2.0 × 10⁹ SQ FVIII (co) 69.6 2.37 × 10¹⁰ 4.45 × 10⁹ SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) 71.8 2.40 × 10¹⁰ 2.65 × 10⁹ SQ FVIII N6 (co) 87.9 2.99 × 10¹⁰ 3.39 × 10⁹ Expression of FVIII In Vitro

Relative FVIII protein expression was measured for each construct in the human embryonic kidney cell line 293T. Cells were transduced with a serial dilution of vector and cultured for 48 hours, after which cells were washed, fresh serum free media added and chromogenic assays performed after a further 24 hours to determine FVIII activity. Genomic DNA was also extracted from cells to determine viral copy number by qPCR. Expression values were then normalised against copy number allowing accurate values for FVIII protein expression per gene copy to be determined (FIG. 9). All constructs produced detectable FVIII activity using a chromogenic assay (FIG. 9) and FVIII antigen by ELISA (data not shown).

Cells transduced with constructs expressed from non-codon optimised cDNA sequences produced on average 1.40 to 2.89% FVIII activity/mL/24hr/vector copy number. There was no significant difference in expression of FVIII between equivalent constructs where the SQ^(m), SQ^(a) and SQ^(b) activation peptide sequences were present (P>0.05). In addition, there was no significant increase in expression where the Fugu B or 226/N6 B-domains were present in comparison to SQ FVIII or BDD FVIII constructs (P>0.05).

However, a highly significant increase in expression was observed with constructs expressed from codon optimised cDNA sequences. Cells expressing SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), and SQ FVIII N6 (co) produced 22.89±3.68, 47.20±2.71, and 35.8±2.39% FVIII activity/mL/24hr/vector copy number, respectively, a 13- to 16-fold increase in comparison to expression from equivalent non-codon optimised cDNA sequences (P<0.0001). A significant increase in expression was also observed from constructs containing the Fugu and 226/N6 B domains in comparison to SQ FVIII (co) (P<0.0001), furthermore, the SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) had expression significantly higher than both SQ FVIII (co) and SQ FVIII N6 (co) (P<0.0001).

Comparison of FVIII Expression In Vivo after Intravenous Delivery of Vector into Neonatal Haemophilia A Mice

SQ-containing FVIII expression cassettes were tested in vivo. Six constructs; SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, SQ FVIII N6, SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), and SQ FVIII N6 (co) were tested by direct intravenous injection of lentiviral vector into neonatal (0-1 day old) haemophiliac (FVIIIKO) mice. All mice received between 4.72×10⁷ and 1.78×10⁸ vector genomes (vg) with 6 to 10 mice injected per vector group. Blood plasma samples were collected via tail vein bleed approximately every 30 days for a total of ˜250 days. FVIII activity was assessed using a functional chromogenic assay.

Functional FVIII was detected in the plasma of all transduced mice at all time points (FIG. 10). Plasma from mice transduced with vector containing non-codon optimised FVIII sequences; SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, or SQ FVIII N6 contained on average 5.72%±2.31%, 7.79%±3.66%, and 9.53%±2.24% normal human FVIII activity, respectively, for the duration of the experiment. The ability to clot rapidly following tail vein bleeds indicated that the mice treated with sequences SQ FVIII Fugu B, or SQ FVIII N6 were able to achieve adequate haemostasis, however 4 of the 6 mice injected in the SQ FVIII vector group did not survive, indicating that the levels of FVIII were insufficient to correct the murine haemophilia A phenotype. None of the other vector groups showed morbidity associated with low FVIII expression. For mice transduced with vector containing codon optimised FVIII cDNA sequences; SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), or SQ FVIII N6 (co), average FVIII levels were detected at 256.1%±63.4%, 232.2%±74.1%, and 283.7%±56.2% normal human FVIII activity, respectively, for the duration of the experiment. This is a 44-, 29-, and 29-fold increase in expression for SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), and SQ FVIII N6 (co), respectively, in comparison to expression from equivalent non-codon optimised sequences (P<0.0001, Bonferroni simultaneous test). Furthermore, no substantial loss in FVIII expression was observed in any vector groups. Importantly, no significant difference in expression was observed for constructs containing different B-domain elements for vectors containing codon optimised or non-codon optimised cDNA sequences (FIG. 11).

Analysis of Viral Copy Number in the Organs of Transduced Mice

From 187 and 246 days post-injection, mice were sacrificed to determine vector copy number in liver, spleen, heart, lung and kidney tissue by real time qPCR (FIG. 12). Vector genomes were detected predominantly in the liver and spleen tissue with negligible copies in heart, lung and kidney tissues for all mice in all vector groups. Liver tissue taken from mice transduced with vector containing non-codon optimised cDNA sequences contained an average of 5.75, 6.97 and 5.25 vector copies per cell for SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, and SQ FVIII N6, respectively. In spleen tissue average copy number was 1.50, 3.13 and 2.75 copies per cell for SQ FVIII, SQ FVIII Fugu B, and SQ FVIII N6, respectively. There was no significant difference in the vector copy number detected in liver tissues of animals injected with vector containing codon optimised sequences (P>0.1, Bonferroni simultaneous test). Average copy number in liver tissue was detected at 5.04, 9.17 and 8.80 copies per cell, and in spleen tissue copy was 2.28, 2.57 and 2.60 copies per cell, for SQ FVIII (co), SQ FVIII Fugu B (co), and SQ FVIII N6 (co), respectively. In all cases, similar copy number was found in all tissues for all animals regardless of vector group.

DISCUSSION

mRNA instability, interactions with resident ER chaperone proteins, and the requirement for carbohydrate-facilitated transport from the ER to the Golgi apparatus means that FVIII is expressed at much lower levels from mammalian cells than other proteins of similar size and complexity^(7;26). This has been a limiting factor both in the commercial production of recombinant FVIII for replacement therapy and in the success of gene therapy for haemophilia A. A number of bioengineered forms of human FVIII have been incorporated into gene transfer systems and have been shown to have enhanced expression both in vitro and in vivo. B-domain deleted (BDD) factor VIII constructs are used widely in gene transfer experiments as there is no loss of FVIII procoagulant function and its smaller size is more easily incorporated into vectors. A variation of this construct is a BDD FVIII containing the 14 amino acid link SQ between the A2 and A3 domains, currently produced as a recombinant product and marketed as Refacto™ (Wyeth)²³. The SQ link has previously been shown to promote efficient intracellular cleavage of the primary single chain translation product of FVIII as it contains the intracellular furin recognition and cleavage site^(23;27). This construct has been incorporated into plasmid vectors where it has conferred therapeutic levels of expression²⁸⁻³⁰. Miao et al., in 2004¹⁷ have also shown that after plasmid transfection of COS-1 cells a human BDD FVIII construct containing the first 226 amino acids of the B-domain including 6 N-linked asparagine glycosylation sites was secreted 4-fold more efficiently in comparison to BDD FVIII and 5-fold more efficiently in vivo following hydrodynamic hepatic gene delivery¹⁷. This construct has now been incorporated into many gene transfer vectors including plasmid³¹, lentiviral vectors³², and gammaretroviral vectors³³ and is more efficiently secreted both in vitro^(17;33-35) and in vivo^(17;35).

One of the significant limitations in the generation of efficient viral gene delivery systems for the treatment of hemophilia A by gene therapy is the large size of the FVIII cDNA. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of FVIII expression cassettes with various B-domain constructs.

These consist of SQ FVIII, FVIII N6 and a BDD FVIII construct containing the entire B-domain from the puffer fish Fugu rubripes which contains 11 N-linked asparagine glycosylation sites which potentially would promote more efficient trafficking from the ER to the Golgi and therefore be more efficiently secreted. We also investigated the expression of these constructs from cDNA sequences which had been codon optimised for expression in Homo sapiens. All constructs were tested using a SIN lentiviral vector, however, the results are applicable to any gene delivery system. Our study found that in vitro no difference in FVIII expression was found between constructs with or without the modified SQ sequence. Incorporation of B-domain regions into constructs also did not cause a significant increase in expression for non-codon optimised constructs in comparison to their B-domain deleted equivalents. However, for codon optimised sequences significantly higher expression of both SQ FVIII Fugu B (co) and SQ FVIII N6 (co) were observed in comparison to SQ FVIII (co). A 13- to 16-fold increase in expression of functional factor VIII per integrated gene copy were also observed from codon optimised sequences.

In vivo, after neonatal injection of a similar number of lentiviral vector genomes the presence of a B-domain did not significantly affect the steady state levels of circulating FVIII activity for either codon optimised or non-codon optimised constructs. However, we observed a 29- to 44-fold increase in steady state plasma levels of functional FVIII in hemophilia A mice to levels above 200% normal human FVIII expression from codon optimised constructs in comparison to non-codon optimised equivalents. Importantly, these levels of circulating FVIII were associated with a correction of the bleeding diatheses. In contrast, the levels of FVIII activity observed in mice treated with non-codon optimised FVIII expression cassettes were associated with fatal haemorage following tail bleeds.

Multiple transcriptional silencers and inhibitory sequences are widely distributed throughout the FVIII cDNA^(4;6;21;22) and the increased expression following codon optimisation may be in part due to the elimination of such sequences. However, deletion of the entire B-domain which led to a 17-fold increase in mRNA and primary translation product only resulted in a 30% increase in the levels of secreted protein, suggesting that the rate of ER-Golgi transport was reduced¹⁶ and that levels of FVIII mRNA were not limiting expression. The introduction of multiple N-linked glycosylation sites known to be important in ER-Golgi transport of FVIII increased levels of secreted FVIII, suggesting that the rate of ER-Golgi transport may be a rate limiting step¹⁷. However, a significant amount of FVIII within the ER never transits to the Golgi compartment due to a failure to fold correctly and misfolded FVIII accumulation in the ER can result in oxidative damage and apoptosis, perhaps suggesting that FVIII folding is the rate limiting step in FVIII expression³⁴.

Although protein secondary structure is determined primarily by the amino acid sequence, protein folding within the cell is affected by a range of factors: these include interaction with other proteins (chaperones) and ligands, translocation through the ER membrane and redox conditions. The rate of translation can also affect protein folding and it has been suggested that codon usage may be a mechanism to regulate translation speed and thus allow stepwise folding of individual protein domains^(36;37). FVIII is a complex multi-domain protein in which nonsequential segments of the nascent polypeptide chain may interact in the three dimensional fold. Ribosome stalling at ‘rare’ codons may therefore lead to alternative folding pathways generating altered conformations and potentially misfolded protein. A potential explanation for the observed effect of codon optimised sequences utilised in this study may be that they allow efficient translation and transport across the ER membrane allowing the nascent FVIII polypeptide chain to fold correctly leading to the increased levels of secreted FVIII observed in vitro and in vivo.

Expression of >200% is not required in hemophilia patients, and production of such high levels of FVIII may be detrimental to producer cells^(4;34). However, a major advantage of the optimised sequence is the ability to minimize the number of genetically modified cells needed to produce therapeutic levels, thereby reducing the risk of insertional mutagenesis and insertion site-dependent positional effects. Also, the use of strong, ubiquitous promoter elements such as SFFV that were previously required to drive high expression of FVIII constructs could be replaced by weaker, tissue specific promoters which are less prone to transcriptional silencing³¹.

Previous in vivo studies have demonstrated expression of therapeutic levels of FVIII in vivo in adult haemophilia A mice after systemic injection of vector^(32;38-40), transplant of transduced bone marrow cells^(31;33), transplant of transduced bone marrow cells with targeted platelet-specific expression^(41;42), and transplant of transduced blood outgrowth endothelial cells⁴³. However, FVIII expression levels mediated from many of these approaches have been low (1-5% normal human) and expression transient due to formation of neutralising antibodies. In this study we used a lentiviral gene delivery system to investigate FVIII expression from FVIII constructs containing various B-domains from non-codon optimised and codon optimised cDNA sequences. We observed a dramatic increase in the level of secreted FVIII from a codon optimised cDNA using this system, however, as this expression cassette is only ˜5 kb in size it is applicable for any viral (including AAV) or non-viral gene delivery system and will allow the development of safer, more efficacious vectors for gene therapy of haemophilia A.

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The invention claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 80% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and which encodes functional factor VIII protein and wherein with respect to the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 any amino acid change encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecule is in the portion of the amino acid sequence which replaced the B domain of the factor VIII protein.
 2. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 having at least 85% homology to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 1. 3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO:
 7. 4. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 further comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 5. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 6. An isolated host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 or the vector of claim
 5. 7. A method of treating haemophilia comprising administering the vector of claim 5 to a patient suffering from haemophilia.
 8. A method for delivery of a nucleotide sequence encoding a functional factor VIII protein to a subject, which method comprises administering to said subject the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 